Bajaj Auto has a reputation in the industry for its ability to grow and for using innovation coupled with the latest technology. Like the Bajaj CNG bikes example cited above, the fuel cost as a proportion is reduced by up to half with the bike running on both petrol and CNG stored in their respective tanks. But the commencement has been delayed by one month and now will be on July 17.
Bajaj CNG Bike Launch Delayed to Next Month
Originally, the first Bajaj CNG bike was going to debut on June 18 but will now arrive on July 17. Bajaj Auto’s Executive Director, Rakesh Sharma has confirmed the delay. If launched, the new Bajaj CNG bike could become India’s first production CNG bike. That said, a CNG-only bike was an option but Bajaj went the bi-fuel way just like bi-fuel cars that come with petrol and CNG. It is a good option considering the very small number of CNG stations compared to those of petrol & diesel pumps.
It will be offering both petrol and CNG tanks. The commonality of a few parts other than the fueling mechanism means an easy swap, helped by a basic valve mechanism allowing on-the-fly transition to the available CNG station. There are, for example, not that many CNG stations in rural areas. Besides, users have the flexibility to switch to petrol mode while going through tricky terrains which demand more power and torque since CNG has lower energy density, and higher air-to-fuel ratio which results in lower power and torque output.
Bajaj CNG Bike – Key Features
The design blueprints confirm that substantial modifications have been made to accommodate both CNG and petrol tanks. The CNG tank is mounted lengthwise along the bike, which employs a sloper engine for this format, as opposed to its traditional vertical mount, while a separate petrol tank sits on top of the setup.
We can be pretty sure that Bajaj must have made sure that the fuel-switching mechanism is flawless and that it has a few safety measures in place for the bi-fuel system. In addition, certain petrol/CNG-compatible engine modifications should also be carried out. Although the company has not given out the engine specs, the first CNG bike is anticipated to get a 125cc engine paired with a five-speed gearbox.
Spy shots suggest Bajaj is developing two versions of its CNG bike—one for urban areas and another for rural areas, with the latter designed for heavy-duty use, featuring a handlebar brace, sump guard, and knuckle guard. To attract customers, Bajaj might launch the CNG bike at an affordable introductory price, possibly around ₹80,000, reflecting the company’s aggressive pricing strategy seen with the Pulsar NS400Z.
