TVS Motor Company on Friday launched the country’s first ethanol-based motorcycle — the Apache RTR 200 Fi E100 — priced at ₹1.20 lakh (ex-showroom).

 

This special edition motorcycle will be available in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka for now.

 

The company first showcased the Apache RTR 200 4V ethanol concept at the Auto Expo 2018.

 

The Apache is the flagship brand of TVS Motor, with over 3.5 million customers across the globe.

 

“Today, the two-wheeler industry is looking at green and sustainable future mobility solutions spanning across electric, hybrid and alternative fuels. TVS Motor Company believes that ethanol-based products are an important option for our customers,” Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, said at the launch here.

 

Ethanol is domestically produced from renewable plant sources. It is non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe to handle, store and transport.

 

Though there are no ethanol fuelling stations in the country right now, the government has said it would soon open such outlets.

 

Speaking at the event, Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Minister, Road Transport and Highways; and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, said that his department will ask the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to open ethanol pumps in the country.

 

He added said that the government will encourage such products to reduce pollution, and also suggested use of such motorcycles as bike taxis, for which the government will give permits on a fast-track basis.

 

Gadkari said to pare down the crude oil import bill of ₹7 lakh crore, India has to develop electric and bio-fuel-based vehicles. This will also help reduce pollution.

 

“(Out of) This ₹7 lakh crore, if we can diversify ₹2 lakh crore for our farmers (to obtain sugar cane for ethanol), it can create more employments and our agricultural growth rate will also increase,” Gadkari added.