Nitin Gadkari says new Toyota Innova to be launched on November 26, running cost to be just Rs 25 per liter

A new version of the Toyota Innova running entirely on bioethanol is set to make its debut in India later this month. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that the vehicle will be launched on November 26. Speaking at the 'Powering the Next Mile' conclave on Tuesday, Gadkari said the upcoming Toyota Innova would run on 100% bioethanol instead of conventional petrol. He also highlighted its potential to significantly reduce the cost of running a vehicle, claiming that the effective fuel expense could be equivalent to just Rs 25-30 per litre of petrol. The announcement comes at a time when India is exploring alternatives to imported fossil fuels and encouraging automobile manufacturers to develop vehicles powered by cleaner energy sources.

New Toyota Innova to run entirely on 100% bioethanol

Gadkari said he would launch Toyota's new Innova on November 26. Unlike conventional petrol-powered models, the upcoming vehicle will use bioethanol as its primary fuel. "This month, on November 26, I am going to launch Toyota's four-wheeler Innova, which will run entirely on 100 per cent bioethanol instead of petrol," the minister said.


Bioethanol is an alcohol-based fuel produced from biological sources. Its use in vehicles can help reduce dependence on crude oil, particularly when it is manufactured using agricultural feedstock and other renewable materials.

Why does Nitin Gadkari say the Toyota Innova will cost just Rs 25-30 per litre to run?

One of the biggest claims surrounding the upcoming Innova concerns its running expenses. Gadkari explained that ethanol currently costs around Rs 75 per litre, while petrol is priced at approximately Rs 120 per litre. However, he said the new Toyota vehicle would also generate nearly 60% of its power through electricity while running.

According to the minister, this combination would bring down the effective operating expense considerably."The price of ethanol is Rs 75 per litre, while petrol costs Rs 120 per litre. This vehicle will also generate 60 per cent of its power through electricity while running," Gadkari said.

He added that the overall running cost would work out to the equivalent of Rs 25-30 per litre of petrol. The figure is likely to attract attention from motorists, particularly those concerned about rising fuel expenses.

Gadkari pushes for electric and alternative-fuel vehicles

The minister also used the event to highlight how India's automobile industry has evolved in the electric mobility segment. Recalling the early days of electric two-wheelers, Gadkari said he had launched the first electric scooters manufactured by Bajaj and TVS. At the time, these vehicles offered a range of approximately 125 kilometres.

However, as manufacturers attempted to make electric scooters more affordable, some companies reduced battery capacity. This brought the prices down to around Rs 70,000-72,000, but also reduced the driving range to nearly 70 kilometres. Gadkari said green, safe and inclusive technologies could benefit consumers as well as the country.

He has repeatedly advocated reducing India's reliance on imported petroleum products through greater adoption of biofuels, electric vehicles and other alternative energy technologies.