CNG and LPG take the game to Petrol and Diesel

Indian government has promoted natural gas and liquified gas as alternatives to polluting gasoline and diesel cars for quite sometime now. In big cities like Delhi and Ahmedabad you can already see Buses, autorickshaws and taxis running on CNG and LPG gas. Here is what a CNG vs. LPG vs. Petrol vs. Diesel war looks like for daily drivers like us?

Why CNG?

1. Rs.24.65 per kg compared to Rs. 51.68 of petrol and Rs. 39.6 for a diesel.

2. Cleaner emissions will help save the planet.

3. Factory kits also demand a higher resale price.

4. Current crop of cars give dual fuel support with petrol as another option.

5. Low maintainence costs.

Why not CNG?

1. improper setup will harm the car. Prefer a company fitted kit.

2. higher initial investment for the car.

3. The tank takes up lots of boot space.

4.  The engines are meant for petrol hence power is reduced.

5. Not all the cities have pumps providing gas.

Why LPG?

1. Rs 34.14 per litre compared to Rs. 51.68 of petrol and Rs. 39.6 for a diesel.

2. Cleaner emissions will help save the planet.

3. Factory kit gets you a higher resale price.

4. You get dual fuel option along with petrol.

5. Higher burning capacity.

Why not LPG?

1. Improper setup will harm your car. Prefer a company fitted kit.

2. Higher purchase price.

3. Tank takes up necessary booth space. (smaller than CNG)

4. Compromised power delivery

5. Not all cities have pumps providing gas.

Various car compared with different fuel.

1. Maruti WagonR

WagonR LPG ARAI fuel efficiency- 13.1 kmpl Ex-showroom- 3,50,366

WagonR Petrol ARAI fuel efficiency- 18.9 kmpl Ex-Showroom- 3,38,699

price difference- 11,667

To cover the extra price difference and the lower fuel efficiency you need to drive the car for 92000 kilometers.

pointer- Duo has a tank which fits in the spare tyre bay hence the boot size is not affected.

2. Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Spark petrol ARAI fuel efficiency- 17.03 kmpl ex-showroom- 3,17,715

Chevrolet Spark LPG  ARAI fuel efficiency- 13.15 kmpl ex-showroom- 354.531

price difference- 36816

To cover the extra premium and lower fuel efficiency on LPG you will have to drive the car for 84000 kilometers.

pointer- The car loses 3bhp when on LPG but retains full 63 horses once you switch to petrol.

3. Hyundai Accent

Hyundai Accent petrol ARAI fuel efficiency- 16.36 kmpl ex-showroom- 5,11,008

Hyundai Accent LPG ARAI fuel efficiency- 11.26 kmpl ex-showroom- 5,47,948

Hyundai Accent CNG fuel efficiency- 14 (estimated) ex-showroom- 5,66,008

price difference- 36940 extra for LPG and 55000 for CNG

To cover the extra cost and lower fuel efficiency figures Accent LPG must be driven for 291000 kms.

To cover the extra cost and lower fuel efficiency figured Accent CNG must be driven for 120000 kms.

Pointer- It makes sense to get a Sequential kit locally than from the company.

4. Hyundai Santro

Hyundai Santro Petrol ARAI fuel efficiency figure- 17.92 kmpl ex-showroom-347901

Hyundai Santro LPG ARAI fuel efficiency figure- 11.88 kmpl ex-showroom- 369824

Hyundai Santro CNG Fuel efficiency figure- 12.8 kmpl ex-showroom- 402901

Price difference- 55,000 for CNG and 21923 for LPG

To compensate for higher price and lower fuel efficiency the Santro CNG must be driven for 58000 kms

To compensate for higher price and lower fuel efficiency the Santro LPG must be driven for XXX kms.

Pointer: Avoid Santro LPG at all costs. Sequential kits sourced locally will be better.

5. Maruti 800

Maruti 800 Petrol ARAI fuel efficiency- 16.1 kmpl ex-showroom- 236020

Maruti 800 LPG ARAI fuel efficiency- 12.7 kmpl ex-showroom- 221113

price difference- 14907

To compensate for higher price and lower fuel efficiency the car must be driven for 29000 kms.

Pointer- Maruti 800 Duo makes sense if you are covering long distances. Really frugal.

Other cars with Gas options

1. Chevrolet Aveo CNG

2. Hindustan Ambassador CNG

3. Hindustan Ambassador LPG

4. Maruti Omni LPG

5. Tata Indica/Indigo LPG

6. Tata Indica/Indigo CNG

7. Toyota Corolla CNG

8. Toyota Innova CNG