When it comes to saving costs, people often advise to get a CNG (compressed natural gas) kit installed in an existing car or to buy a CNG variant of a vehicle. Is it just about the low running costs in CNG or is there more to it? Most new budget cars today are being offered with CNG options; however, for older cars, you will need to install aftermarket kits.
Before reaching a conclusion, let’s take a look at the major differences between the two:
| Factors to consider | Petrol | CNG |
| Initial buying cost | Compare to CNG-fueled cars; petrol cars are cheaper. | For cars that cost below Rs 10 lakh, the CNG-powered cars are costlier by Rs 50,000 – Rs 60,000. This additional cost won’t pinch much if you opt for used cars on EMI, as a small increment in monthly EMIs won’t make a significant difference. |
| Fitment | No special fitment is required. The boot continues to offer regular space as prescribed by the manufacturer. | Special fitment is required that involves the installation of the CNG tank in the boot of the car. This leads to the loss of the boot space. |
| Eco-friendly | Petrol is a cleaner source of fuel compared to diesel but not cleaner than CNG. | CNG is one of the cleanest forms of fuel, making CNG cars environment-friendly. |
| Engine performance | Running your car on petrol returns optimum performance of the engine. You get instant throttle response in petrol cars. | Switching your car to CNG mode drops the performance of the engine by up to 20 per cent. |
| Running costs | It offers average running cost. | CNG-powered vehicles have the lowest running costs. |
| Fuel availability | It is readily available in cities, towns and highways. | CNG pumps are very limited. Moreover, the ones in operation usually have commercial vehicles queued up waiting for a refill. |
| Fuel cost | The cost of petrol is increasing at an alarming rate. It costs Rs 80.43 per liter in Delhi as on 8 July 2020. | The cost of CNG in Delhi is Rs 43 per kilogram. |
| Long-term reliability | The petrol-powered cars offer complete peace of mind with manufacturer warranty. | The company-fitted CNG cars are offered with a warranty. However, retro-fitted ones do not guarantee long-term reliability. |
Verdict
In a nutshell, the CNG cars may appear to have low running costs, but the maintenance and repair cost remains a concern. Moreover, the loss in power also compromises the drive. Lastly, the installation of the CNG tank in boot makes it completely unusable. Hence, the right car to choose depends on your driving habits and the distance you cover each day.
No matter the car type you choose, whether petrol or CNG, Tata Capital offers you attractive repayment options for used car loan. But before you apply for a used car loan, don’t forget to check your used car loan eligibility. You not only get attractive used car loan interest rates with Tata Capital but also prompt customer service to ensure the process of loan disbursal is smooth.