Bajaj Auto Ltd. has unveiled the world's first CNG motorcycle, even as the wider two-wheeler industry transitions into an electric future.
The Freedom 125 is powered by a 125-CC engine, with the ability to toggle between petrol and Compressed Natural Gas powertrains. The motorcycle will be available in three variants, with prices starting at Rs 95,000 (ex-showroom).
The CNG tank, placed under the seat, will have a capacity of two kilograms. It will be coupled with a two-litre petrol tank. The CNG motorcycle will have a range of 330 km, Bajaj claims.
The Bajaj Freedom CNG runs 102 km per kg of CNG, which means that it will have a range of approximately 200 kms on one full tank of CNG.
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But Bajaj Auto knows a thing or two about CNG powertrains and how to package the gas on a vehicular chassis. Its gas-powered auto-rickshaws are ubiquitous on Indian roads as the first choice of last-mile connectivity. The company enjoys more than 75% market share in the passenger three-wheeler segment.
To be sure, the two-wheeler industry has been weighing the idea of a CNG motorcycle or scooter for some time now. In 2016, the government tested CNG variants of Honda Activa scooters, but that vehicle never came to be due to lack of real-world power. Moreover, packing CNG on a two-wheeler chassis was a challenge as well as a safety concern.
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