Hero MotoCorp has launched the Splendor flex-fuel as one of its first bikes in India that can run on the higher capacity ethanol of up to 85%. The launch, graced by Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, and Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, opens a new chapter in the transition of the two-wheeler industry towards greener mobility solutions. The flex-fuel bike, priced at Rs 82,710 (ex-showroom, Delhi), carries the same commuter-focused look and practicality, but has a cleaner alternative fuel source under the tank. The design is familiar, but Hero has made modifications to the engine to support the higher ethanol blend. The debut comes at a time when frequent price hikes and fluctuating fuel costs
are putting additional pressure on buyers. Against this backdrop, the launch of the flex-fuel motorcycle from Hero MotoCorp could emerge as a cleaner and more cost-effective transport solution, as interest in alternative fuels continues to grow among commuters. Here's a comprehensive look at India's first ethanol-powered bike.
Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel: What's New Under the Skin
The Splendor+ Flex Fuel powertrain comes with a series of engineering revisions to support ethanol-rich fuel blends. For example, Hero MotoCorp has modified 36 components to make sure the durability, performance, and compatibility of the bike are not compromised. Some of the key changes are a newly developed fuel pump and an additional fuel filter.
The Hero commuter also gets a recalibrated engine control unit (ECU), which can automatically adjust fuel delivery based on the ethanol concentration present in the tank. The updated engine (97.2cc unit with 8.44hp/8.3Nm) can support ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E85. Compared to the standard version, the Splendor+ Flex Fuel claims to offer up to 7% more power and 3% more torque when running on E85. Moreover, the Splendor+ Flex Fuel significantly reduces harmful tailpipe emissions compared to its petrol-powered counterpart. The carbon monoxide emissions are reduced by 77%, while non-methane hydrocarbons drop by 40%. Hero says that the overall hydrocarbon emissions are also lower by 14%.
Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel: Cosmetic Changes
While the core design of the bike is the same, the Splendor+ Flex Fuel Edition gets refreshed graphics that distinguish it from the standard model. Hero has also equipped the motorcycle with a new digi-analog instrument cluster.
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Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel: Delivery and Availability
The Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel Edition is scheduled to reach dealerships from July 2026, with Maharashtra and Delhi being the first markets to receive the motorcycle.
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