Honda CB300F Flex-Fuel is the first flex fuel motorcycle to be launched in India
Honda CB300F flex fuel motorcycle was launched with a price tag of Rs. 1.70 lakhs (ex-showroom). The bike maker is positioning it as an eco-friendly option in the growing Indian two-wheeler market. This new variant, which can run on E85 fuel – a mixture of gasoline and ethanol – is priced the same as the standard CB300F.
The flex fuel model was first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Expo earlier this year and is part of Honda’s efforts to align with India’s push towards alternative fuels. Although the mechanical aspects of the CB300F flex fuel remain unchanged from its regular counterpart, it brings one crucial difference: the ability to use ethanol-blended fuel, which can reduce carbon emissions.
Design, features and main differences
Visually and mechanically, the CB300F flex fuel is almost identical to the standard model. Both bikes share the same design and features, with the only notable distinctions being the color options and a small change to the display. The flex fuel version is available in red and gray, unlike the standard model, which offers an additional blue color.
A critical feature of the flex fuel variant is the extra indicator on the dashboard. This display warns the rider if the ethanol content in the fuel exceeds 85%, ensuring safe and efficient use of the motorcycle under different fuel compositions.
Flex Fuel Technology
Flex fuel engines are designed to run on a mixture of gasoline and ethanol, with E85 fuel containing up to 85% ethanol. Ethanol is a cleaner-burning fuel compared to gasoline, which can lead to reduced emissions. By introducing this technology, Honda is supporting India’s ethanol blending initiatives, which aim to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Price and Availability
Despite the introduction of flex fuel technology, Honda has kept the price of the CB300F at Rs. 1.70 lakhs, ensuring customers do not pay a premium for the more environmentally friendly variant. Reservations for the CB300F flex fuel are now open and deliveries will begin in the last week of October at Honda’s BigWing dealerships.
This is not the first time that Honda has adjusted the price of the CB300F. After launching the bike at Rs 2.29 lakhs, Honda had to revise its pricing strategy due to lukewarm sales, first offering Rs. 50,000 discount before permanently reducing the price to Rs. 1.70 lakh.