India’s First 100% Ethanol Motorcycle For A Cleaner Environment

India is trying to reduce the country’s fuel imports by pushing the use of electric vehicles to replace the IC engine vehicles. With India’s first-ever Ethanol motorcycle, the Apache RTR 200 Fi E100, TVS is making its effort to make alternate fuel popular amidst the country’s transition from IC engine vehicles to electric ones.

Before we head to the bike’s information, let’s focus on its origin, as to why it is here. To replace petrol, ethanol would be the most practical option since it can be produced domestically from renewable plant sources such as sugar factories’ alcohol remains and sugarcane molasses. A big plus for ethanol is how it doesn’t require additional infrastructure setup as it can be incorporated into the existing fuel pumps.

The main reason for switching to Ethanol is its ability to produce much less carbon monoxide emissions into the air than conventional petrol, about 35%. The use of ethanol also cut down the emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons.

TVS’s new Apache RTR 200 Fi E100 has a price tag of Rs 1.2 lakh. The vehicle will be available in Karnataka, UP, and Maharashtra. TVS once showcased an early concept version of the vehicle at the Auto Expo 2018.

The bike’s features include 18.1 Nm torque, 21 PS power output and a maximum speed of 129 kmph. The bike is equipped with an ethanol drive train and Twin-Spray-Twin-Port technology, making it capable of running fully on 100% ethanol. The vehicle doesn’t ditch petrol completely as it can also use petrol.

It’s a positive sign of how auto manufacturers are creating alternative fuel vehicles, with the Apache RTR 200 Fi E100 as an example. While electric vehicles are in the spotlight in India at the moment, vehicles using alternative fuels are great and quicker to implement option to replace the petrol/diesel means of transportation.

Also, considering the vehicle from TVS is a two-wheeler, which accounts for most of India’s vehicles, which can create a major impact on cutting down the emissions.