Six major carmakers vie in CNG segment as fuel costs push buyers towards gas-powered cars

Rising petrol and diesel costs in India are turning buyers towards CNG cars. Competition among six leading carmakers in the CNG segment is intensifying. Low running costs, ease of use for daily travel and possible savings over petrol are making CNG cars popular with many families. Companies are therefore pushing to add CNG options to their popular models.

The reason for the rising demand is clear. For office-goers, drivers who use cars commercially and families that travel a lot, fuel expense is a major concern. Under the right conditions, CNG can lower the cost per kilometre. But the actual saving depends on the CNG price, the car's mileage, annual distance travelled and maintenance costs. Buyers also have to consider where and how many CNG stations are available, and how long refuelling takes at busy times.

Competition among the big companies is fierce. Maruti Suzuki has built a strong presence in the segment by offering a CNG option in several of its popular cars. Tata Motors is also investing in CNG cars, and some of its models have a twin-cylinder arrangement, which is meant to make boot space easier to use alongside CNG storage. Hyundai and other companies are also focusing on the segment to attract customers who want to run a car at low cost.

A CNG car no longer means only low cost. Companies are also paying attention to safety, connected features, comfortable cabins and modern design. Before buying, factors such as the location of the CNG cylinder, boot space, the facility to convert from petrol to CNG and the service network should be checked.

It is also important to consider what a buyer should look for when choosing a car. The starting price of a CNG car can be higher than that of the petrol model, so it is necessary to calculate in how many months or years the expected saving will be recovered. Buyers should not decide on mileage claims alone. They should take a test drive, check the real-world running cost and verify the safety features. More competition may give customers more options, but travel needs and budget must come first when choosing the right car.

The question is whether a CNG car works out cheaper than a petrol car. The per-kilometre cost of CNG can be lower, but the real saving becomes clear only after weighing the starting price, fuel prices, mileage and maintenance together. When buying, mileage, CNG station availability, boot space, safety features, the service network and the price against the petrol model should be checked. The need to cut daily travel costs, the growing choice of CNG models and modern features are drawing customers to these cars.