CNG Option In Scooter Will Be More Affordable Than Electric?
The current market of scooters has maximum petrol scooter. While the electric scooter penetration hasn’t been more than 15% of total scooter sales. The EV revolution has had an effect to look out for more affordable options. But the adaptability and restricted infrastructure has caused a limit to the EV reach. Making CNG fuel option a new possible choice for affordable daily commutes.
Bajaj recently launched the world’s first CNG motorcycle and it runs for over 200 kms in 2 kgs of CNG. Bringing the running cost to under 1 ₹/km as per the company claims and current CNG fuel cost which is around 73 ₹/kg in Mumbai. This is the same cost that an electric scooter runs at when charged at home.
The possibility of having 3-pin sockets at home or a covered parking is a major concern in high-rise dense societies. This is the major reason electric scooters are becoming the next big thing for the Indian market.
While the availability of CNG pumps all over the city of Mumbai is amazing. The only gripe one would feel is waiting in line to fill the CNG tank.
Fitting a CNG tank in the Freedom 125 from Bajaj has caused the weight to increase. With a similar idea for a scooters, the weight will also be a considerable factor. More so the placement of the CNG can be the next thought as it can consume the underseat storage space and challenge the practicality in scooters.
A maxi-scooter design will be more appropriate as the size is larger, scooter is bigger and can accommodate a lot more than regular scooters. Bajaj had to design an all-new engine to accommodate the CNG, will scooter manufacturers continue with the existing engine they already have?
We can expect a similar CNG capacity of 2 kgs to be considered for scooters as well. Which brand do you think will take on this challenge first as the idea of CNG tanks on scooter will be an all-new approach.
