The Tata Punch already comes with a variety of powertrain choices, such as electric, CNG, and gasoline, and Tata Motors has now indicated that it plans to add yet another powertrain option to the lineup. The Punch flex fuel may be the brand’s first model to introduce this fuel option, as the company demonstrated it at the latest Auto Expo 2025.

• The well-known 1.2-liter, 3-cyl NA engine powers the Punch flex fuel.
• It receives updates for various ethanol blends for the fuel injection system and ECU

Tata Punch Flex Fuel: Ready for a Sustainable Future

“Flex fuel depend on when the government decides that they want to go for 85% blend, but technically we would want to be ready, and Punch is the first product”, Mohan Savarkar, chief product officer and vice president, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles.

Tata Punch on display at the Auto Expo can run on fuel that contains up to 85% ethanol blend because it is E85 compatible. In order to detect and adapt to various ethanol blends while on the road, it is equipped with software upgrades for the ECU, fuel injector systems, and exhaust after treatment-systems. Its 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated engine is the same as the standard Punch.

Since 2023, the government has been gradually introducing E-20 blended fuel throughout India with the goal of having nationwide coverage by 2025. Tata Motors appears prepared for the shift, as it also demonstrated flex fuel powertrain options for its small commercial vehicle range, even though E-85 blended fuel is still a way off.

At the Auto Expo 2025, Hyundai has also displayed a flex-fuel version of the Creta in addition to Tata Motors. Toyota and Maruti Suzuki had previously displayed flex fuel prototypes of a few of their cars. Expect more automakers to take action in this area in the future, as a higher ethanol blend will also aid in a meeting the increasingly stringent emission standards.