CNG Kits For Automatic Scooters Launched In India

CNG kits for two wheelers have been much talked about and are now finally being made available for two wheelers. Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) in association with Eco Fuel (Indian Partners of Lovato, Italy) have launched CNG-fueled two-wheelers in the country, in order to offer a more economical fuel option with lesser emissions.

By Sameer Contractor

1 mins read

Published on January 3, 2017

Highlights

The CNG kits can be retrofitted on 18 existing automatic scooters
The CNG kit scooters can run up to 120 to 130 km per kg
The approximate cost per km is Rs. 0.60 per km per single fill

CNG kits for two wheelers have been much talked about and are now finally a reality. Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) in association with Eco Fuel (Indian Partners of Lovato, Italy) have launched CNG fuelled two-wheelers in the country, in order to offer a more economical fuel option with lesser emissions. The CNG kit for two wheelers comprises two CNG cylinders of 1.2 kg each, which can run up to 120 to 130 km per kg at an approximate cost of INR 0.60 per km per single fill. In comparison, a petrol powered scooter returns an average of 45-50 kmpl with a range of 340 kmpl on a single tank (5.3-litre fuel tank). Presently two kit manufacturers namely ITUK and Lovato have got two-wheeler CNG kits approved by ARAI, Pune and ICAT Gurgaon respectively. Lovato has received approvals for 18 Scooter models of various manufacturers present in the market. Considering the huge potential of this segment other kit manufacturers are also planning to launch their two-wheeler kits, the company said in a statement. The CNG kits are priced at Rs. 15,000 over the standard price of the scooter. However, do note that the kit does impact OEM warranty on the scooter. The CNG kit dealer though gives its own warranty on the kit. The CNG Kits can be retrofitted on 18 existing scooters The CNG Kits can be retrofitted on existing scooters including the Honda Activa, Activa 125, Dio, Hero Maestro, Duet, Pleasure; Suzuki Swish, Access, Let's; TVS Wego, Jupiter, Scooty Zest and the likes. The kits are currently available in Mumbai. The CNG kits were launched by Honourable Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan. He said that over 36 lakh two wheelers are running in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) alone and the new initiative will help owners opt for a more eco-friendly fuel option with the CNG kit. In the last few years CNG powered vehicles have grown in MMR at a CAGR of over 70 per cent, given the fuel economics and eco-friendly nature of CNG. In addition to the CNG kits, MGL also launched e-wallet payments which can be used at the time of filling CNG, while the MGL Connect app has been launched as well that shows the nearest CNG filling station in and around Mumbai. Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has been conducting trial runs of a CNG-powered Honda Activa in Delhi since last year. This project has proven to be successful by GAIL's collaboration and the scooters are being used by certain food delivery services as a pilot project. Scooters Compatible with CNG Kits: Hero Duet 110 Hero Pleasure 110 Hero Maestro 110 Honda Activa 125 Honda Dio 110 Mahindra Duro DZ 125 Mahindra Gusto 110 TVS Jupiter 110 TVS Scooty Zest 110 TVS Wego 110 Vespa VX 125 Yamaha Fascino 110 Yamaha Ray 110 Yamaha Alpha 110