[dZired]

Mahanagar Gas Ltd. (MGL) and Eco Fuel (Indian Partners of Lovato, Italy) have launched CNG kits for automatic scooters in India. These kits are currently available only in Mumbai.

The said kit includes two CNG cylinders of 1.2 kg each. The manufacturer claims that scooters equipped with these CNG kits will be able to cover around 120 to 130 kilometres per kg of gas, and will thus have a running cost of around Rs. 0.60 per km for a single fill. As a result, the CNG automatic scooters will be able to provide an economical as well as environment friendly alternative to the large two-wheeler population of the city.

At the moment, two kit manufacturers - ITUK and Lovato - have received approval for their CNG kits from ARAI, Pune and ICAT, Gurgaon, respectively. Initially, the scooters will be equipped with kits from Lovato. Seeing the potential of this segment, various other manufacturers are also planning to launch their respective CNG kits in the market.

Lovato has got its CNG kits approved for 18 scooter models available in the country, including popular scooters like the Honda Activa, Honda Activa 125, Honda Dio, Hero Maestro, Hero Duet, Hero Pleasure, TVS Wego, TVS Jupiter and Suzuki Access.

The Government of India had previously started a pilot project in New Delhi to install CNG kits in two-wheelers. As part of this pilot project, some food delivery services have been using CNG-powered Honda Activa models since last year.

Source: Car and Bike

Link to Team-BHP News

[CARDEEP]

Originally Posted by dZired

Mahanagar Gas Ltd. (MGL) and Eco Fuel (Indian Partners of Lovato, Italy) have launched CNG kits for automatic scooters in India. These kits are currently available only in Mumbai.

This is woeful news, for two reasons. First, the lines on the CNG stations are only going to get longer with more vends for two wheelers.

Second, cheap running costs would mean havoc of two wheelers on roads. Most (NOT ALL) of these automatic scooters are the licence to ride for riders who barely can manage riding cycles properly & at times or the ones breaking rules & creating problems on road.

[PraNeel]

Originally Posted by CARDEEP

This is woeeful news, for two reasons. First, the lines on the CNG stations are only going to get longer with more vends for two wheelers.

Second, cheap running costs would mean havoc of two wheelers on roads.

Whether CNG is available or not two wheeler sales are form a major chunk of automobile sector sales every year. It is the preferred mode for small errands and city runs.
If this pilot run is successful, it will reduce pollution and bring down the running costs significantly. This will also lead to more CNG pumps. Presence of CNG pumps is crucial for this project to be successful.

[SRK]

Originally Posted by CARDEEP

This is woeful news, for two reasons. First, the lines on the CNG stations are only going to get longer with more vends for two wheelers.

Second, cheap running costs would mean havoc of two wheelers on roads. Most (NOT ALL) of these automatic scooters are the licence to ride for riders who barely can manage riding cycles properly & at times or the ones breaking rules & creating problems on road.

Quite agree with you.

It seems the politicians are targeting young college going students, most of them who would have just secured a license.
Here is a quote from the Mid-day article : Scooters retro-fitted with CNG tanks will earn extra marks'
"Maharashtra’s Minister for Education, Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs, Vinod Tawde, has announced that college students will be awarded extra marks if they install CNG tanks in their scooters"

Also wonder how safe would the scooters be.

[antz.bin]

Originally Posted by SRK

"Maharashtra’s Minister for Education, Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs, Vinod Tawde, has announced that college students will be awarded extra marks if they install CNG tanks in their scooters"

I wonder if students with electric scooters will get the same benefits. Because that will be a huge shot in the arm for electric 2 wheeler companies like Yo, Hero, Ather and Tork. I would actually love to go electric (if there was a way to actually buy one, referring to the last 2). The running costs are on another level in terms of affordability. This combined with the convenience of extra storage spaces, zero NVH and instant torque with power comparable to petrol powered scoots (for Ather & premium commuter bikes for Tork) just sweetens the deal even further!

As long as intra city committing is concerned, a range of 90-100km/charge is more than enough for 99% scooter use cases, and furthermore, no lines will be required for refueling (overnight charging at home) and the infrastructure for it has existed for decades!

[CARDEEP]

Instead of awarding marks for riding/ driving a particular vehicle, there should be incentives for good social behaviour generally & adherence to discipline, including traffic.

Also, I'm not in favour of current gen electric vehicles, till there are better (eco-friendly) modes of disposal of Lithium Ion fuel cells, or better energy sources than this one.