In a significant move towards promoting eco-friendly transportation, Bajaj Auto is gearing up to launch a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) motorcycle within the next 6 to 12 months.This initiative is consistent with Bajaj's larger plan to offer more affordably priced and environmentally responsible solutions in the upcoming years. For its whole product line, from two-wheelers to quadricycles, the company is looking into cleaner powertrains, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and petrol containing ethanol.
An Eco-Friendly Approach
Bajaj's primary objective behind this initiative is to offer consumers affordable transportation options that not only reduce their running costs but also have a minimal impact on the environment. This represents a developing industry trend promoted by major producers like Maruti Suzuki to promote cleaner fuels and reduced GST rates for such cars.
The “Bruzer of E101” - Bajaj's CNG Motorcycle
Bajaj Auto is making significant progress in developing a CNG-petrol hybrid motorcycle, internally codenamed the "Bruzer of E101." If all goes according to plan, this innovative product could soon hit the Indian roads.
Production Plans and Potential Branding
Prototypes of the 110cc CNG bike have already been created, with plans to initially produce it at the company’s Aurangabad factory. Eventually, production will expand to their Pant Nagar facility. The potential branding for this new offering is rumored to be the Platina.
Meeting Growing Demand
Bajaj Auto initially planned to produce approximately Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.2 lakh CNG bikes annually. However, this number has been revised upwards to over 2 lakh units to meet the growing demand for cleaner and more cost-effective transportation options.
Government Support and Lower GST Rates
While specific details regarding the CNG bike’s features, pricing, and launch dates remain undisclosed, Rajiv Bajaj, the Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, has suggested that a CNG motorcycle could offer an affordable solution in the 100-110cc segment. With government support and lower GST rates on CNG vehicles, these eco-friendly motorcycles could become more accessible to entry-level buyers.
Bajaj is doing something that fits with a bigger plan in the car world. They want to make the tax (GST) lower for cleaner fuels, like the gas used in the CNG motorcycle. Other big companies, like Maruti Suzuki, also want this. Now, about the CNG motorcycle itself. Bajaj is making it to help reduce the bad stuff that comes out of our vehicles and to give people a way to travel that doesn't cost a lot. So, they're trying to make it cleaner for the air and cheaper for you.