Royal Enfield Classic 350 Flex Fuel Spotted Testing: It Could Run on E85 Ethanol Blend Petrol
Royal Enfield prepares for fuel changes suggested by Nitin Gadkari-led MoRTH
Royal Enfield has started testing the Classic 350 Flex Fuel as the government has started hinting towards enforcing a higher ethanol blend petrol - E85 and E100. This means petrol with up to 85% ethanol, and completely ethanol based fuel.
However, the Chennai-based brand is already prepared for such a scenario. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 Flex Fuel concept was unveiled at the 2024 Bharat Mobility Expo (2024 Auto Expo). That concept is now inching towards production. The concept, as well as the bike on test, look the same as the Classic 350 on sale right now. However, the only giveaway is the sticker on the fuel tank that says E85 Fuel. 
The Classic 350 is Royal Enfield’s best-selling bike, and thus it would make sense for the brand to ready the bike for the upcoming fuel regulations. Since it shares the J-Series engine with the other 350cc Royal Enfield bikes, it would be easy to make those E85-compliant as well. We expect the Flex Fuel variant to cost about Rs 10,000 more than the E20-compliant variant. For reference, the current Classic 350 with alloys wheels is priced at Rs 2,16,582 lakh (ex-showroom). That said the launch could only happen once the fuel regulations are enforced.
Need For E85 & E100 fuel
The Indian government was already mulling over increasing the ethanol blend from the current E20 petrol (20% ethanol). The increasing geo-political situations have caused major strain in the oil global oil supply chains, and increased the purchasing cost of oil for several countries. The Indian government claims that increasing the ethanol blend will reduce oil imports. Nitin Gadkari-led Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed these changes to
While the transition will not happen immediately, it seems the government is serious about it. And brands like Royal Enfield do not want to wait for it to happen. In fact, even Bajaj has already showcased E100-compliant NS160 Flex Fuel
Spyshot Source: RushLane
Royal Enfield Classic 350 User Reviews
- RE Classic 350Yes, I will recommend this bike as it's the best machine I have ever rode, so calm and relaxed and gives you a royal vibe and you will want to ride this bike as long as its possible, just get it, Thanks!Read More3 2
- "My Classic - Safe ClassicThis is office to home riding bike hardly it taken for long drive, and it never done major accidents after 4th reguler service vehicle is moving like a fluffy queen pillow, and having special lovable number plate and i never fell down or succumbed to any major accident i feel very safe even when i ride this on pothole roads.Read More21 1
- comfort or classic feelClassic 350 mere liye ek comfortable aur enjoyable bike hai. Iska classic look kaafi premium lagta hai aur riding bhi smooth feel hoti hai. Long rides me comfort achha rehta hai. Pickup, handling aur exhaust sound bhi mast hain. Overall bike ka experience kaafi satisfying hai. I love to ride this bike.Read More5 5
- The royal feel and real emotion.First of all it was dream bike, so of course once in a dream and there is no going back and also, everyone choose the brand like royal enfield, only the real men can choose royal enfield and ride it like a king. Best bike ever. Good milege even in city roads and great balancing features to ride this beast smoothly. However, someone is willing to ride in city then also it is very good bike for them, It's a quite great bike, really smooth. Because, this bike is an emotion who loves the bike should only buy this bike else, I won't recommend more. People think that to buy bike is easy yes, it is easy but to keep maintain such bikes should need some passion or josh to keep the bike run smoothly so that brand never goes off in style.Read More3
- 👍 good reviews from my sideGood but I think Royal Enfield should work on speed and mileage and they have to work on silencer because it is mainly known for its sound. If sound is getting silent in bs6, the bullet is generally getting downgraded ratings from all customers. Royal Enfield should work on this side and overall the experience is good.Read More8 8