Nitin Gadkari unveils prototype of world's first BS VI Stage-2 electrified flex fuel vehicle

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari unveiled a prototype of the country’s first electrified or hybrid flex fuel vehicle compliant with the second stage of BS-VI emission standards on Tuesday. The prototype was a variant of the Innova HyCross developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor. 

“Ethanol being an indigenous, clean and renewable fuel holds a promising future for India. The government’s focus on ethanol is for achieving energy self-reliance, spurring the incomes for farmers and having a better impact on the environment. The government’s plan is not only to diversify agriculture surpluses towards the energy sector but also generate wealth from waste using 2G technology for producing ethanol from bio-waste. A lot of emphasis is being laid on building and expanding the necessary infrastructure to produce ethanol in the whole country," the Union Minister said. 

Gadkari had in October 2022 launched Toyota’s first-of-its-kind pilot project on flexi-fuel strong hybrid electric vehicles (FFV-SHEV) in the country, which would run on 100 per cent petrol, and 20-100 per cent blended ethanol and electric power. 

Toyota Kirloskar Motor said the prototype is built on the most admired Innova HyCross and designed to be compatible with the country’s emission norms, making it the world’s first prototype of a BS VI (Stage II) electrified flex fuel vehicle. The auto maker said the “milestone reaffirms and demonstrates its dedication and ongoing endeavours to introduce advanced and green mobility solutions in line with the nation’s key priorities”. 
 
Toyota Kirloskar Motor also said it is imperative to rapidly shift away from fossil fuels. 

“With the impending implementation of E20 (20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol) by April 2025, India is expected to save Rs 35,000 crore annually in its oil import bill and reduce GHG Emission by 21 million metric tonnes. E20 fuel will also reduce PM2.5 emissions by up to 14 per cent as compared to petrol,” the auto maker added. 

The government’s National Policy on Biofuels envisages the blending of 20 per cent ethanol in petrol by the ethanol supply year 2025-26.

"Today marks a significant step forward in our commitment to environmental stewardship with the unveiling of the prototype of the world's first BS 6 (Stage II) electrified flex fuel vehicle. At Toyota, we believe that carbon is the real enemy. This pioneering achievement underscores TKM’s steadfastness towards shaping a carbon-neutral mobility society in line with Government of India’s initiatives by adopting multiple pathways,” said Masakazu Yoshimura, Managing Director and CEO, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

Flex fuel vehicles can be powered by more than one type of fuel or a mixture of fossil fuel with ethanol or methanol. Ethanol, a renewable fuel manufactured from agricultural waste, is a cost-effective and greener substitute for fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel. 

India, the world’s third biggest oil importer, meets about four-fifth of its demand for crude oil through imports. It is also one of the top producers of biofuels in the world and aims to gradually build capacity to increase its output of biofuels to also reduce its dependence on costly oil imports.

During its Presidency of G20, the country is emphasising on international collaboration for energy security, and enhanced development of emerging fuels such as biofuel and hydrogen.