- Petrol Vs CNG. Which one will suit you better?
- Parameters to consider while making the decision.
- Comparing in different areas of utility.
Fuel efficiency is the most sought-after element when people go out to buy a car. Although people are now gradually accepting performance over mileage, the proportion however remains less. For the same reason, CNG kits were installed in regular petrol cars. Sensing the same, companies have started rolling out factory-fitted CNG systems like the Maruti Grand Vitara CNG, Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS CNG, and many more. With more companies doing away with the diesel engine, should you go with the CNG or the petrol variant? Petrol Vs CNG, why and what? Let us help you in finding it out.
Also Read: What Is A Hybrid Car? Difference Between Full Hybrids, Mild Hybrids, And Plug-In Hybrids Explained
Mileage- Petrol Vs CNG
The prime reason for the booming of the CNG car market is the most cliche but relevant "Kitna Deti Hai ?" question of every household. As the car in India is mostly a family matter and seldom individual. CNG definitely trumps its petrol counterpart here and the CNG kit fitted in a car delivers more mileage. CNG is however measured in kilograms and not litres.
It returns more fuel economy when compared to other fuels like petrol or diesel, as CNG being a lighter and cleaner fuel, reduces engine stress, thereby allowing it to deliver better fuel efficiency and simultaneously lower emissions as well.
Let us take Maruti Suzuki WagonR. for example in both variants.
| Maruti Suzuki WagonR Mileage Comparision | |
| Petrol | 25.19 km/ litre |
| CNG | 34.05 km/kg |
The mileage comparison is enough to strengthen the supremacy of CNG, at least in this department. But wait till you see some more differences.
MILEAGE- CNG>Petrol
Boot Space - Is CNG That Viable?
This is the area where the CNG variant's dominance eats the dust. The CNG cylinder rests inside the cargo space of the car. Which ultimately means substantially less boot space for carrying the luggage. whereas in some you cannot even carry one medium suitcase. Which leaves you practically with no space to carry luggage on some car models.
Sedans like Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Hyundai Aura CNG are better in boot space management, which still leaves you with some room for your bags. Hatchback in CNG fitment is not a very good option if you plan on carrying a lot of luggage.
BOOT SPACE- Petrol> CNG
Maintenance - Is There Any Difference?
The same engine is offered with both fuel options. So in terms of the overall wear and tear and maintenance of the engine is almost similar. The CNG cars being fitted with additional CNG kits and fuel pipes require a little more care and hence increase their service costs. Though the difference is not very high, extra parts do require extra pampering.
The CNG cylinder is highly combustible as well. Since the placement is inside the boot, it requires extra care for keeping it safe and checking for any fuel leakages. Although the company-fitted Kits are much safer, everything requires regular maintenance.
CNG has its edge in terms of it being a cleaner fuel and hurting the environment much less than conventional petrol or diesel.
MAINTENANCE COST- CNG > PETROL
Powertrain: Petrol Vs CNG- Difference In Performance
The CNG sure offers better fuel efficiency but lacks in power delivery on the same engine option as compared to petrol. The reason is that CNG has a lower energy density than petrol or diesel. This means that CNG contains less energy per unit of volume. Let us take Maruti Suzuki WagonR again for example.
| WagonR Specifications Comparison | ||
| Petrol | CNG | |
| Power | 65.26 ps | 56.7 ps |
| Torque | 89 Nm | 82.1Nm |
The CNG variant produces less torque as well as less power as clear from the table above. The petrol will feel peppier.
POWER DELIVERY- Petrol > CNG
Cost Of Fuel- How Much Difference Does It Makes?
The cost of CNG is less when compared to petrol. Being cheaper and also returning more mileage is the cherry on the cake for the CNG vehicle owners. This has been a major differentiating factor for the success of CNG-powered vehicles getting popular.
For reference, the price of CNG today at the time of writing this article, in New Delhi is Rs. 79.56 / kg whereas petrol is currently being sold at Rs. 96.72. So, the cost of running a CNG car is much more economical than its petrol version.
Evidently, CNG takes the point on this one for sure.
Parameters Comparison
| CNG | PETROL | |
| FUEL PRICE | low | high |
| PERFORMANCE | low | high |
| PRICE OF VEHICLE | higher | lower |
| RUNNING COST | low | high |
| MAINTENANCE | higher | lower |
| EMISSIONS | fewer emmisions | high emissions |
| MILEAGE | higher | lower |
| FUEL PUMPS | Less available | dense network |
- CNG is more fuel efficient than Petrol.
- Petrol vehicles deliver more power.
- CNG is cheaper than Petrol but has a scattered network of pumps as of now.
- Petrol vehicles have substantially more boot space, especially in the case of hatchbacks.
Also Read: Most Popular Upcoming CNG Cars in 2023
VERDICT - The leading factor in the success of CNG vehicles is the cumulative effect of cheaper CNG and more mileage than the petrol variant. But this comes at a cost of engine performance. Petrol feels more responsive. The CNG also comes with a sizeable compromise with the boot space of the car with the CNG cylinder placed in the cargo space. Is it worth it to have efficiency at the cost of boot space and performance? It is a question that only you can answer for yourself.
