India, May 22 -- At a time when even the EV transition remains heavily dependent on imported components, flex-fuel may well represent India's most realistic route towards true energy self-reliance.

India has already proved it can move quickly on ethanol. The question now is whether it can move smartly.

The answer is not to linger over halfway stops like E22, E25 or E27. The next logical step is flex-fuel. If India wants lower oil dependence, a stronger domestic fuel base and a transport system that can actually scale, flex-fuel is the cleaner and more durable path.

The logic is simple. Flex-fuel vehicles allow consumers to use whatever blend is available locally, whether E20, E85 or E100. That flexibility matters in a country as large ...