Maruti launched an E85-powered WagonR, but the price tag makes absolutely no sense. It costs โน85,000 more than the regular (E20) version.
Why would anyone pay a premium upfront just to get higher daily running costs?
When you pay extra for an EV or a CNG car, it is a smart move because the fuel is cheap and you save money in the long run. The E85 WagonR does the exact opposite:
E85 fuel looks great at the pump because it is roughly โน20 cheaper per L than regular petrol. But then, ethanol has less energy than petrol, causing the car's mileage to drop by a massive 30% to 40%.
Because the mileage drops so drastically, you end up burning way more fuel just to travel the same distance. The fuel discount is instantly wiped out, leaving you with a higher daily driving bill than a standard petrol car.
So, who is this actually for? No buyer is going to hand over an extra โน85,000 just to get terrible mileage, spend more money every single week, and deal with the massive headache of hunting down rare E85 fuel stations in India.