Nitin Gadkari Unveils Flex-Fuel Toyota Innova Hycross Strong-Hybrid Prototype
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Nitin Gadkari Unveils Flex-Fuel Toyota Innova Hycross Strong-Hybrid Prototype

Nitin Gadkari Unveils Flex-Fuel Toyota Innova Hycross Strong-Hybrid Prototype

This prototype can run on up to 85 percent ethanol blend, and 60 percent of the total output is taken care of by EV power, courtesy the hybrid system, in certain test conditions

Toyota Innova Hycross Flex-fuel Prototype

  • The prototype is equipped with a 186PS 2-liter strong-hybrid petrol engine.

  • The engine has been modified to be compatible with high-blend ethanol fuel.

  • A 20 percent ethanol blend produces 14 percent less PM2.5 emissions than petrol.

  • Ethanol is more affordable and is mostly made from organic materials like sugarcane.

  • Further tests and calibrations need to be done before the prototype is approved for Indian roads.

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, has unveiled the prototype of the flex-fuel Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid. This prototype can run on up to 85 percent ethanol blend fuel and is the first in the world to comply with the updated BS6 Phase 2 emission norms. Here’s what you need to know about the flex-fuel Innova Hycross prototype.

Cleaner Powertrain

Toyota Innova Hycross Flex-fuel Engine

The flex-fuel Hycross uses the same 2-liter strong-hybrid powertrain engine as the regular Toyota hybrid MPV. The engine has been adapted to run on an ethanol blend of up to 85 percent, making it more eco-friendly. Toyota claims that the performance output of 186PS remains the same even on the greener fuel.

Benefits

Benefits of Flex-fuel

Ethanol is a cleaner fuel than petrol or diesel, resulting in lower emissions and less environmental damage. E20 fuels (20 percent ethanol blend) can reduce PM2.5 emissions by 14 percent compared to regular petrol. The hybrid system further enhances the eco-friendliness of the prototype as it uses EV power for up to 60 percent of the total output. Ethanol is also more affordable than fossil fuels and can be locally manufactured from organic resources like sugarcane, rice, and bamboo.

The transition to electric vehicles is challenging, and flex-fuel vehicles provide a middle ground solution. They help reduce carbon emissions and India’s energy imports. Eventually, the country may even be able to export surplus biofuels.

Toyota Innova Hycross Flex-fuel Prototype

The flex-fuel Innova Hycross is still a prototype and needs further testing before it can be made available on Indian roads. The availability of higher ethanol-blended fuel is also crucial for this technology to be fully utilized. However, by 2025, E20-compliant fuel and compatible vehicles are expected to be introduced. Let us know your thoughts on this prototype in the comments below.

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