Toyota Motor has revealed the world’s inaugural fully ethanol-fueled vehicle, featuring a flexible-fuel engine. This innovative model, based on the popular MPV Innova HyCross, was officially introduced on August 29 in an event attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Significantly, the electrified Innova HyCross flex-fuel version not only operates on an alternative fuel but also generates its electric power and functions in EV mode. This prototype aligns with the latest emission standard, Bharat Stage 6 (Stage 2).
Designed exclusively for ethanol use, the Toyota Innova HyCross flex-fuel MPV incorporates a lithium-ion battery pack, allowing it to operate in EV mode. However, the release date for the production model remains uncertain.
In contrast to the hybrid variant available in India, the flex-fuel Innova HyCross differs somewhat, with the hybrid containing a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 181 bhp and an e-CVT transmission. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has consistently advocated for alternative fuels to reduce crude oil import costs and vehicular pollution. He emphasized, “Vehicular pollution contributes to 40 percent of pollution in India,” underscoring the need for emission reduction.
