The natural gas in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG) is an alternative to fossil fuels in vehicles. It is estimated that out of the 23 million CNG vehicles in the world India has 1.8 million vehicles. Add-on type CNG kits are available in the market for converting petrol cars to bi-fuel vehicles. The Maruti Suzuki, the Tata and the Honda are the leaders in this field.
Maruti Suzuki Alto
The bestselling Alto 800 has one CNG variant the LXi CNG priced Rupees 3.69 lakh. The 796 cc, 47 bhp and 69 NM torque engine gives mileages of 30.46 kmpl. The Alto K10 also has one CNG variant, the LXi CNG priced Rupees 3.98 lakh giving mileages of 32.26 kmpl. Both the vehicles have features like an engine immobiliser, a manual AC, fabric seats and internally operated black ORVMs.
Maruti Suzuki Celerio
The Celerio has 2 CNG variants, the VXi CNG and the VXi CNG (O) priced Rupees 4.92 and 5.04 respectively. The 998 cc engine gives mileages of 31.79 kmpl. The features of the Option variant include 2 air bags, an engine immobiliser, central locking, a manual AC and internally operated body coloured ORVMs.
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
The Wagon R LXi CNG Avance LE variant priced Rupees 4.69 lakh gives mileages of 20.5 kmpl. The features include a manual AC, power windows and 2 Din music system with Bluetooth connectivity.
Tata Vehicles
The Tata Nano XM CNG variant priced Rupees 2.33 lakh gives mileages of 25.35 kmpl. The features include a manual AC and externally operated body coloured ORVMs. The hatchback Indica eV2 ha s two CNG variants priced Rupees 4.04 and 4.32 lakh giving mileages of 23.7 kmpl. The top variant has features like a manual AC, electric ORVMs and a 2 Din music system with Bluetooth connectivity.
Honda Amaze
The Honda Amaze has a CNG variant, the 1.25 Plus i-VTEC priced Rupees 6.03 lakh. The 1.2L engine gives mileages of 18.0 kmpl. The features include a manual AC, tilt steering, power windows, electric body coloured ORVMs and a 2 Din music system.
Utility Vehicles
The MUV Maruti Eeco has 2 variants the 5STR CNG and the 5STR AC CNG priced Rupees 3.83 and 4.19 lakh giving mileages of 20 kmpl. The MPV Maruti Ertiga VXi CNG is priced Rupees 7.86 lakh. The car has features like 2 air bags, ABS, EBD, a manual AC and a 2 Din music system with digital display and Bluetooth connectivity.