BMW says its cars have been E25-Ready for years, Backs india’s ethanol push

New Delhi: Luxury carmaker BMW Group India has openly backed India’s aggressive ethanol blending programme, signaling strong support for the country’s push towards cleaner and more sustainable fuel alternatives.

The company said its vehicles have already been engineered to run on E25 fuel a blend of 25% ethanol and 75% petrol for several years, placing it ahead of evolving fuel regulations in India.

This endorsement comes at a time when India is rapidly expanding its ethanol ecosystem as part of a broader strategy to reduce crude oil imports, strengthen energy security, and cut vehicle emissions.

Speaking on the matter, Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO of BMW Group India, said ethanol blending is an important piece of the larger sustainability puzzle.

“Alternative fuels, including ethanol blending, play an important role in reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels and supporting the country’s environmental and energy-security objectives,” Brar said.

BMW has adopted what it calls a technology-open approach to sustainable mobility meaning it does not rely on a single solution for the future.

Instead, the company is balancing investments across Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), advanced Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models, and hydrogen fuel-cell technology.

Brar emphasized that the path to a low-carbon future will require multiple technologies working together rather than a one-size-fits-all strategy.

One of the most significant takeaways from BMW’s statement is its claim that its vehicles are already future-ready.

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“For the past several years, our cars have been prepared to take up to E25 fuel and will continue to be ready in line with future regulations,” Brar added.

He also clarified that some of his earlier remarks about fuel technologies had been misunderstood, stressing that they were not criticism of India’s current E20 blending programme.

BMW reaffirmed its full support for the government’s sustainable mobility vision and said it remains committed to meeting all fuel and regulatory standards in India.

The company’s backing is particularly noteworthy as the luxury automaker continues to witness strong growth in the Indian market.

In the first quarter of 2026, BMW reported record sales of 4,567 units, registering a 17% year-on-year growth.

Notably, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 26% of total sales during the January-March period, showing growing consumer interest in cleaner mobility solutions.

As India accelerates its transition toward greener transport, BMW’s endorsement of ethanol blending adds weight to the idea that the future of mobility may not belong to just one technology but a combination of many.