Bajaj Freedom: India’s First CNG Bike Launched
Bajaj Freedom India 1st CNG Bike Launched Bajaj has launched the world’s first CNG motorcycle, the Bajaj Freedom 125, in India starting at ₹95,000 . It is available in three variants – the NG04 Drum at ₹95,000, the NG04 Drum LED at ₹1.05 lakh, and the top-spec NG04 Disc LED at ₹1.10 lakh (all prices ex-showroom) The Freedom 125 is powered by a 125cc engine producing 9.5 hp and 9.7 Nm of torque. It comes with a 2kg CNG tank and a 2-litre petrol tank, providing a combined range of 330 km. The bike can switch between CNG and petrol on the fly Bajaj claims the Freedom 125 emits 26% less CO2 and 43% less NOx compared to a regular petrol motorcycle It is based on a trellis frame with telescopic forks and a linked monoshock Safety features include a single-channel ABS While the Freedom 125 doesn’t have any direct rivals currently, it will compete with 125cc commuter bikes like the Honda Shine 100, TVS Radeon, and Hero Splendor Plus .Bookings have begun in Maharashtra and Gujarat, with a phased rollout in other states planned for the next few month. Introduction India’s automotive market has been a rapidly evolving landscape, characterized by a high demand for two-wheelers due to their affordability and convenience in navigating through the often congested roads. Within this dynamic sector, the quest for more environmentally friendly and economically viable fuel alternatives has been ongoing. The recent launch of the Bajaj Freedom, India’s first CNG bike, marks a significant milestone in this journey towards sustainable transportation. This essay delves into the details surrounding this groundbreaking launch, exploring its technical specifications, environmental impact, economic implications, and future prospects. Background The concept of using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a fuel alternative is not new in India. For decades, the country has leveraged CNG for various types of vehicles, particularly in metropolitan areas where air pollution levels have been critically high. The adoption of CNG has been driven by its environmental benefits, including lower emissions of harmful pollutants compared to petrol and diesel. Despite its success in the four-wheeler segment, CNG adoption in two-wheelers has faced several hurdles, primarily due to the technical challenges in integrating CNG systems with smaller engines and the limited infrastructure for refueling. The Launch of Bajaj Freedom Bajaj Auto, a pioneer in the Indian two-wheeler market, announced the launch of the Bajaj Freedom CNG bike with much fanfare. The launch event, held in New Delhi, was attended by key industry stakeholders, environmental advocates, and media representatives. The Bajaj Freedom CNG is designed to cater to the needs of urban commuters who seek a cost-effective and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Equipped with a state-of-the-art CNG fuel system, the bike promises significant savings on fuel costs and reduced environmental impact. Technical Aspects At the heart of the Bajaj Freedom CNG is a robust engine specifically engineered to run on compressed natural gas. The bike features a dual-fuel system, allowing riders to switch between CNG and petrol, thereby offering flexibility and convenience. The CNG fuel system is designed with advanced safety features to prevent leakage and ensure smooth operation. Performance-wise, the Bajaj Freedom CNG boasts comparable power and torque to its petrol counterparts, ensuring that riders do not have to compromise on performance. How does the Bajaj Freedom compare to other CNG bikes in terms of performance The Bajaj Freedom 125 is the world’s first CNG motorcycle, so it does not have any direct rivals currently. However, we can compare its performance to regular 125cc commuter bikes: Engine and Power Output The Freedom 125 is powered by a 125cc single-cylinder engine producing 9.5 hp and 9.7 Nm of torque when running on CNG This is similar to other 125cc bikes like the Honda Shine 100 (9.5 hp) and TVS Radeon (8.4 hp) On petrol, the Freedom 125 makes slightly higher power and torque than on CNG Fuel Efficiency and Range The Freedom 125 offers an impressive 102 km/kg mileage on CNG It has a 2kg CNG tank and a 2-litre petrol tank, providing a combined range of 330 km This is significantly higher than regular petrol-only 125cc bikes which typically offer 60-70 km/l Top Speed The Freedom 125 has a top speed of 90.5 km/h on CNG and 93.4 km/h on petrol This is on par with other 125cc commuters which have top speeds in the 90-100 km/h range Weight and Dimensions At 147 kg, the Freedom 125 is heavier than typical 125cc bikes due to the CNG tank It has a tall 825mm seat height which could be challenging for shorter riders In summary, the Bajaj Freedom 125 matches regular 125cc bikes in terms of power and top speed, but offers significantly higher fuel efficiency and range thanks to its CNG capability. However, it is heavier and taller. The Freedom 125’s main advantage is its dual-fuel flexibility and lower running costs compared to petrol-only bikes in its class. How does the Bajaj Freedom’s mileage compare to other CNG bikes The Bajaj Freedom 125 is the world’s first CNG motorcycle, so it does not have any direct rivals currently. However, we can compare its mileage to regular 125cc commuter bikes: Fuel Efficiency and Range The Freedom 125 offers an impressive 102 km/kg mileage on CNG This is significantly higher than regular petrol-only 125cc bikes which typically offer 60-70 km/l It has a 2kg CNG tank and a 2-litre petrol tank, providing a combined range of 330 km Claimed vs Real-World Mileage Bajaj claims the Freedom 125 can achieve up to 115 km/kg mileage in real-world conditions This is higher than the official ARAI claimed mileage of 102 km/kg In comparison, real-world mileage of petrol 125cc bikes is usually lower than their claimed figures Monthly Fuel Cost Bajaj estimates the Freedom 125’s running costs at just ₹1 per km This is significantly lower than petrol-only 125cc commuters which cost around ₹2-3 per km In summary, the Bajaj Freedom 125 offers class-leading mileage and running cost savings compared to regular 125cc motorcycles.