TVS Motor Company has launched India’s first ethanol based motorcycle- the Apache RTR 200 Fi E100

TVS Motor Company on July 12, 2019, launched India’s first ethanol based motorcycle, the Apache RTR 200 Fi E100. The motorcycle was launched by Nitin Jalram Gadkari (Minister for Road Transport and Highways of India and MSMe), Amitabh Kant (CEO of NITI Aayog) and Venu Srinivasan (Chairman of TVS Motor Company)

The E100 is powered by a single cylinder engine which uses electronic fuel injection and puts out 20.7bhp of power at 8500rpm and 18.1Nm of torque at 7000rpm. The engine is tuned for a 80:20 ethanol to petrol ratio. TVS claims that the bike is capable of achieving a top speed of 129kmph. The bike will be available in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka and will have a sticker price of 1.20lakh. The ministry is already working towards setting up ethanol pumps. The bike is identifiable from the petrol based RTR 2004V with its green graphics and ethanol logo but apart from the graphics there isn’t any distinguishable physical difference.

The benefits of using ethanol instead of petrol are that it is made from renewable plant sources and is non-toxic and biodegradable. It contains 35 percent oxygen and reduces the emission of nitrogen oxide during combustion. It also reduces carbon monoxide, particulate matter and sulphur-di-oxide emissions along with 50 percent reduced benzene and butadiene emissions.

Nitin Jalram Gadkari also said that the bike is likely to get permission to function as a taxi.

Commenting on this launch, Venu Srinivasan, chairman, TVS Motor Company, said: "We are delighted to launch the TVS Apache RTR 200 Fi E100 in the presence of Honorable Minister for Road Transport & Highways of India, & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shri. Nitin Jairam Gadkari, who has created a roadmap for the implementation of future mobility in the country. Today, the two-wheeler industry is looking at green and sustainable future mobility solutions spanning across electric hybrid and alternative fuels. TVS Motor Company believes that Ethanol-based products are an important option for our customers. This is due to the easy compatibility in transition to Ethanol and its sustained positive impact on the environment without compromising on performance and total cost of ownership TVS Apache RTR 200 FI E100 is a breakthrough in the two-wheeler space that will set the trend for a green future in India.”

The bike was first displayed as a concept in the Auto Expo 2018 in Delhi. It is nice to see companies like TVS offer environmental friendly alternatives to petrol based engines that don’t necessarily compromise on performance and riding feel.

Words by Karan Ramgopal