Launch of CNG-fueled Two–Wheelers in Mumbai

Mumbai, January 1^st, 2017: Continuing in its endeavor to protect the environment through its eco-friendly fuel, Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) in association with M/s Eco Fuel (Indian Partners of Lovato, Italy) launched CNG fueled two-wheelers thus enabling them to run on safe and economical fuel, further contributing to a pollution free environment.

The launch was done by the Honourable Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan in Mumbai, and was presided over by Shri. Vinod Tawde, Honourable Minister for Education, Youth, Sports & Cultural Affairs and Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban, Govt. of Maharashtra. Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan also launched e-wallet payments which can be used at the time of filling CNG, thus supporting and working towards the objective of making India a cashless economy.

The event was held in the presence of other dignitaries including Honourable MP Smt. Poonam Mahajan, Honourable MLA Adv. Smt. Trupti Prakash Sawant, Shri. Rajesh Pandey, Director - MNGL, Shri. B.C Tripathi, Chairman & Managing Director - GAIL (India) Limited, and Shri. Rajeev Mathur, Managing Director -MGL.

Speaking at the occasion, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that the launch of CNG fueled two wheelers will give an opportunity to more than 36 lakhs two wheelers running in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to opt for this eco-friendly  fuel. In the last few years CNG powered vehicles have grown in Mumbai Metropolitan Region at a CAGR of over 70% given the fuel economics and eco-friendly nature of CNG.

The CNG kit for two wheelers comprises of two CNG cylinders of 1.2 kg each, which can run up to 120 to 130 km per kg at an approximate cost of INR 0.60 per km per single fill and is expected to be substantially economical as compared to a similar petrol run vehicle at the current level of prices as per the kit manufacturer. In the initial phase, the scooters shall be retrofitted with a CNG kit manufactured by Lovato.

Presently two kit manufacturers namely M/s ITUK & M/s Lovato have got two-wheeler CNG kits approved by ARAI, Pune and ICAT Gurgaon respectively. Lovato has got approval for 18 Scooter models of various OEMs present in the market. Considering the huge potential of this segment other kit manufacturers are also planning to launch their two-wheeler kits.

Salient Features of a Two-wheeler CNG kit:

·    CNG Cylinders: 2 Nos each having capacity to 5 litre of Water

·    One fill CNG quantity: 1.2 Kg (0.6 kg in each cylinder)

·    Mileage on CNG:  Avg. 90 km/kg and 110 km per fill

·    Per KM operating cost: 60 paise per Km (approx.)

In the current state following multiple scooter variants can run on CNG fuels.

Hero Duet with 110.9 Engine cm3	TVS Jupiter with 109.7 Engine cm3
Hero Maestro with 109 Engine cm3	TVS Scooty Zest with 109.7 Engine cm3
Hero Pleasure  with 102 Engine cm3	TVS Wego with  109.7 Engine cm3
Honda Activa 125 with 124.9 Engine cm3	Vespa with 124.49 Engine cm3
Honda Dio with 109.2 Engine cm3	Yamaha  Alpha with 113 Engine cm3
Mahindra Duro DZ with 124.6 Engine cm3	Yamaha Fascino with 113 Engine cm3
Mahindra Gusto with 109.6 Engine cm3	Yamaha Ray with 113  Engine cm3
Mahindra Gusto 125 with 124.6 Engine cm3
Suzuki Access  with 124 Engine cm3
Suzuki LET’S with 112.8 Engine cm3
Suzuki Swish with 124 Engine cm3

Easy availability and accessibility of CNG stations across our operational area is the driving force of our CNG network. Barring few peaks in the day due to shift timings of the autos and taxis, there is almost a drive-in, fill-up and drive-out scenario in the CNG stations. The linear avg. distance among CNG stations across MMR in the given zone is as follows:

Western: 1.52 KM

Central: 1.47 KM

Navi Mumbai: 3.2 KM

Kalyan, Dombivali, Ambernath and Badlapur (KDAB): 4.5 KM

The present infrastructure spread has the capacity of dispensing more than 27 lakh kgs of CNG per day which can fuel over 10 lakh vehicles in its operational area.

Additionally, MGL has also launched MGL Connect Mobile App (available on Google Play Store) which will assist consumers to find the nearest CNG station in MMR and nearby areas for convenient refueling experience.

In its endless endeavour towards its commitment of making Mumbai a greener city, MGL also promotes the opening of CNG stations from third parties on availability of plots and other pre-requisite permissions.