New Delhi: Bajaj Auto has showcased the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 Flex-Fuel, the ethanol-powered motorcycle, at the India Bio-Energy & Tech (IBET) Expo 2024. A mix of ethanol and gasoline powers the motorcycle, reducing environmental impact and offering buyers more fuel options. In terms of design, its largely identical to the NS160. But it gets a few more green stickers. The company has not revealed any details about the engine specifications and components.

The Pulsar NS160 currently on sale is equipped with a 160.3-cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that churns out 17.03 bhp and 14.6 Nm. The flex-fuel engine, on the other hand, is expected to generate lesser output.

At the India Bio-Energy & Tech (IBET) Expo 2024, the company also shopwcased the Freedom 125, the first motorcycle in the world that can run on CNG. Priced at Rs 95,000 (ex-showroom) onwards, the Freedom 125 comes in five colours – Ebony Black, Caribbean Blue, Cyber White, Racing Red, and Pewter Grey.

With dual-fuel capacity and a CNG tank, the Freedom 125 offers more than 200 kilometers of range and an additional 130 kilometers of petrol. This saves operational cost of up to 50 per cent.

What is Flex Fuel?

Flex fuel is a mix of gasoline and either of these fuels – ethanol/gasoline/methanol. Ethanol is a biofuel based on alcohol. It is typically obtained from renewable sources like switchgrass, corn or sugarcane. The most common source of ethanol in the United States is the corn kernel starch. Ethanol is considered as a more environmentally friendly fuel because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and cuts down the dependency on fossil fuels. The blend of gas and ethanol is called E85.

What Are Flex Fuel Vehicles?

Flex fuel vehicles are like regular vehicles but they are environment-friendly as they operate on the mix of ethanol and petrol. Why are they called flex fuel? Well, because they have flexible blending ratio in a pre-defined range – E10 (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline) to E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). Moreover, the source of deriving ethanol is also flexible.

Benefits of Flex Fuel Vehicles

One of the key advantages of flex fuel vehicles is that they help cut carbon emissions.

Ethanol production often occurs domestically and reduces our dependency on foreign oil imports to some extent. This enhances energy security by promoting the use of locally sourced, renewable resources.

Since ethanol is produced domestically, it cuts our dependency on foreign oil imports to some extent.

Ethanol is produced using crops like sugarcane, switchgrass, and Jatropha. Thus, its production generates economic opportunities for farmers and agriculture sector.

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