More and more auto makers around the globe are developing eco-friendly cars, which indicate that they prefer CNG cars or LPG cars for their customers. Natural gas will soon be available in more cities and its availability is expected to double this year.

According to IC Roa from Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the company is already developing more models that will run using alternative fuels. He said “We are developing engines that would run on CNG. By early 2010, we will introduce CNG -driven cars in each of the segments we operate,” he said. “Initially, we were focused on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). But CNG seems to be the future. Although the CNG-enabled cars would be a bit costly, their running cost will be lower than that of LPG,”

Maruti is already negotiating with Reliance Industries Limited and GAIL, who are the main producers and transporters of CNG in the country. Sources from RIL person confirmed talks have taken place, but refused to come out with the details.

M&M is also at the forefront of developing CNG run small commercial vehicles. Hyundai is also leading the development of CNG driven cars for the Indian as well as overseas market. However, due to lack of support in regulations as well as infrastructure, there is no surety in terms of how fast this segment will grow in the country. At the moment, there is no automaker that sells cars with CNG run engines.

According to a study by CRISIL, CNG is 80% cheaper than petrol for taxis and 40% cheaper for three wheelers and LCVs. For buses, it works out to be 30% cheaper than diesel. At the moment, there are nearly 5 lakh vehicles which use CNG, which makes it the 4th largest CNG market in the world.

Related News:
Mazda’s First Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid
Hyundai Plans to Launch Ultra Low Cost Car
Maruti's Alto to take on Tata Nano
Maruti to launch diesel version of SX4

Related Books:
Racing Cars
Car Basics
Invisible Cars and Trucks Magic Picture Book

Add a comment

Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 26 May, 2009 5:50:33 PM IST #