CNG cars grab quarter of India's car sales in August; Ertiga, Dzire lead
CNG models made up 25.28 percent of August car sales as Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Dzire topped demand in the first half of 2026
CNG cars are gaining ground fast in India's car market. With petrol prices rising steadily and buyers wary of ethanol-blended fuel, more customers are opting for CNG vehicles. Figures for August 2026 show this clearly, with CNG cars accounting for 25.28 percent of total car sales that month.
Petrol car sales, on the other hand, have kept falling, with their market share now down to 40.85 percent. Electric vehicles held a 7.63 percent share and hybrid cars 9.04 percent. Against this backdrop, figures have also emerged for the top 4 best-selling CNG cars in the first half of 2026, from January to June.
Topping the list is the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, a 7-seater MPV. It sold 78,764 units in the first six months of 2026, up from 64,101 units in the same period last year, a 23 percent year-on-year rise. Its CNG model delivers a mileage of 26.11 km per kg.
In second place is the Maruti Suzuki Dzire sedan, which has long been popular with buyers. It sold 75,339 units in the first half of this year, compared to just 44,484 units in the same period last year, a record 69 percent jump. Its CNG model delivers 36.47 km per kg.
Third is the Maruti Suzuki WagonR, a favourite hatchback among Indian families. It sold 54,267 units between January and June 2026, up from 51,631 units a year earlier, a 5 percent rise. The WagonR's CNG model delivers 34.05 km per kg.
Fourth is the Tata Punch, the country's best-selling CNG SUV, whose sporty look continues to draw buyers. It sold 41,919 units in the first six months of 2026, up from 29,369 units in the same period last year, a strong 43 percent increase. The Punch's CNG model delivers 26.99 km per kg.
