Hero MotoCorp is set to debut its first ethanol-powered motorcycle. The launch event later today will be attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri. The upcoming motorcycle will become Hero's first flex-fuel model for the Indian market.
Hero's First Flex Fuel Motorcycle: What We Know So Far
While Hero MotoCorp has not officially revealed the name or technical specifications of the motorcycle yet, reports suggest the new model could be based on either the Splendor Plus or the HF Deluxe commuter platform. Both motorcycles are among Hero's highest-selling products in India and are known for their strong mileage.
Hero had earlier showcased an ethanol-based HF Deluxe flex-fuel prototype at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The showcased HF Deluxe flex-fuel model was based on a 100cc platform and designed to run on ethanol-blended petrol with ethanol content ranging from E20 to E85. A flex-fuel vehicle can operate on petrol as well as higher ethanol blends, unlike most current vehicles in India that are compatible only with E20 fuel.
What to Expect from the Production Model
If the production version remains close to the HF Deluxe prototype shown earlier, the motorcycle could continue with a 97.2cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine paired with Hero's fuel-injection technology. The upcoming flex-fuel motorcycle could carry a slight premium over the standard petrol-powered versions due to the additional hardware required for ethanol compatibility.
As of now, Suzuki already sells the Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel in India, while Honda had launched the CB300F Flex Fuel but discontinued it later. Hero's entry into the flex-fuel segment is expected to boost the adoption of alternative fuels in the two-wheeler market, aligning with the government's push for ethanol blending.
