The country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, has finally launched its first flex fuel motorcycles in India. Its two most popular commuter motorcycles, the Splendor and HF Deluxe, can now run on ethanol-petrol blends ranging from E20 to E85. The Splendor Flex Fuel has been launched at Rs 82,810, and the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel has been priced at Rs 72,792.
The launch event of the Hero MotoCorp flex fuel motorcycles was held in New Delhi and was attended by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri was also present at the event. Hero MotoCorp has chosen two of its highest-selling motorcycles for the flex fuel initiative.
The Hero Splendor has been India’s best-selling motorcycle for years. Meanwhile, the HF Deluxe is one of the most popular commuter bikes in the country. With the introduction of flex fuel technology on these mass-market products, Hero is aiming to bring alternative fuel technology to a much larger audience.
For those who may not be aware, a flex fuel vehicle is one that can run on different blends of petrol and ethanol. Unlike conventional vehicles, which are designed to run primarily on petrol, these flex fuel vehicles can automatically adapt to different ethanol concentrations.
The newly launched Hero motorcycles can be run on fuel blends ranging from E20 to E85. E20 fuel contains 20 percent ethanol and 80 percent petrol, meanwhile, E85 fuel contains up to 85 percent ethanol and only 15 percent petrol. At present, E20 petrol has already become the standard fuel in many parts of India.
However, the government is planning to increase ethanol blending levels in the near future. In fact, the government has already started issuing directives to prepare the automotive industry for higher ethanol-content fuels in the future.
Although the motorcycles look very similar to their standard models, Hero MotoCorp has made a number of mechanical and electronic changes to ensure compatibility with higher ethanol blends. The Hero Splendor and HF Deluxe motorcycles now get a dedicated fuel pump, which has been designed specifically for ethanol-rich fuels. They also feature a secondary fuel filter to ensure proper filtration and reliability.
In addition to this, Hero has recalibrated the engine control unit, or ECU, to manage varying ethanol concentrations and maintain optimal performance. The components that come into contact with fuel have also been engineered to withstand ethanol’s different chemical properties. This will ensure that the vehicles are durable and offer long-term reliability even when running on high ethanol blends such as E85.
The Hero MotoCorp Splendor and HF Deluxe will come powered by the same 97.2cc single-cylinder engine. This motor is capable of producing 8.57 PS and 8.3 Nm of torque. Overall, there has been a slight increase in power. Apart from this, both bikes get new color options and decals to differentiate them from the standard model.
Hero MotoCorp has stated that both motorcycles have been developed at its state-of-the-art Centre for Innovation and Technology, or CIT, facility located in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This research and development centre is responsible for developing a number of Hero’s latest technologies and products. The flex fuel project has been developed keeping future fuel regulations and Indian operating conditions in mind.
Hero MotoCorp has announced that the Splendor Flex Fuel and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel will start arriving at dealerships from July 2026. Maharashtra and Delhi will be the first states to receive these motorcycles, after which deliveries will expand to other parts of the country.
Comments are closed.