Suzuki to Begin Flex Fuel Vehicle Production in India This Fiscal!
By Ashutosh Arora
Suzuki Motor Corporation has announced that its Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki India, will commence production of flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) within the current fiscal year. This marks a significant step in Suzuki’s broader technology roadmap to support India’s transition toward a carbon-neutral future, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s leading automotive innovators.
In a recent regulatory filing, Suzuki outlined its two-pronged approach for the Indian market: advancing flex fuel vehicle technology while simultaneously expanding its biogas business. This integrated strategy underscores the company’s long-term vision of providing sustainable mobility solutions while contributing to India’s energy security and self-reliance.
A cornerstone of this plan involves converting manure from India’s nearly 300 million cattle into biogas, which will serve a dual purpose as a carbon-neutral automotive fuel and an organic fertiliser. Suzuki, in collaboration with dairy cooperatives, is setting up biogas production plants across the country, with phased operations scheduled to begin in 2025.
The generated biogas will be directly deployed in CNG-powered vehicles, which already account for one-third of Maruti Suzuki’s sales in India. By aligning its biogas initiative with its strong CNG portfolio, Suzuki aims to reduce dependency on fossil fuels while creating a scalable model for rural sustainability.
The initiative carries significant social and economic benefits. By purchasing cow dung from farmers, Suzuki plans to create supplementary income streams for rural households while also ensuring steady supplies of organic fertiliser, thus contributing to India’s agricultural productivity and sustainability. This closed-loop system integrates mobility, renewable energy, and rural development in a single framework.
Commenting on the initiative, Suzuki noted: “Suzuki will continue to scale up its biogas business in alignment with India’s rapid growth, while steadily working toward the realisation of a carbon-neutral society.”
Maruti Suzuki, a household name in India since its inception in 1981, has consistently led the domestic automobile market with its affordable, reliable, and fuel-efficient vehicles. Now, with the introduction of flex fuel vehicles and the expansion of its biogas ecosystem, the company is strengthening its commitment to both technological innovation and environmental stewardship.
This strategic pivot not only supports India’s net-zero ambitions but also enhances the nation’s long-term energy security and fertiliser self-sufficiency. With the combination of FFV technology and sustainable biogas, Suzuki is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s green mobility ecosystem.
