Bajaj CNG Bike Sales Tumble 87% as Venture Stalls

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AuthorAarav Shah|Published at:
Bajaj CNG Bike Sales Tumble 87% as Venture Stalls
Overview

Bajaj Auto's ambitious CNG motorcycle venture, the Freedom 125, has stalled. Sales have plummeted 87% from their peak, missing projections significantly. The company blames ecosystem issues like inconsistent refueling and limited range, while electric vehicles gain traction, capturing market preference with faster scaling and competitive advantages. The dual-fuel strategy now faces stiff competition from both traditional petrol bikes and increasingly affordable EVs.

Ecosystem Constraints Hinder Adoption

Bajaj management points to ecosystem problems, not weak demand, for the slowdown. In a recent investor call, the company highlighted inconsistent refueling pressure and a sparse network as major issues limiting the CNG motorcycle's success.

Rakesh Sharma, Bajaj's executive director, explained that incomplete gas filling cuts into the range. This is crucial for heavy-duty users who would benefit most from fuel savings. When range drops, these key customers revert to petrol, defeating the bike's main selling point.
The company is now focusing on areas with more CNG pumps instead of just expanding its network broadly. However, even in areas with better pump availability, issues like long queues and unreliable supply continue to undermine the vehicle's efficiency claims.

Pricing Pressure Mounts Against EVs

Analysts point out that CNG's cost advantage is limited and depends heavily on location. The Freedom 125, priced at ₹91,566 (ex-showroom), faces competition from both petrol bikes and increasingly popular affordable electric models. EVs are gaining favor, especially with fleet operators and gig workers, due to their lower running costs, better range, and policy backing.
Puneet Gupta from S&P Global Mobility noted that early buyers want more than just fuel efficiency; features and design matter too. He added that the growth of affordable EVs is diminishing the cost savings CNG once offered, and practical usage comparisons are also unfavorable. The Freedom 125's CNG range of about 202 km is significantly less than the nearly 500 km offered by petrol bikes on a full tank.

Geographic Sales Concentration

Bajaj's CNG motorcycle sales are concentrated geographically, with nearly 60% coming from five states: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana. This shows a heavy reliance on current infrastructure, which is not yet widespread enough for wider market acceptance.
The company believes that better fuel availability and pump density will boost sales eventually. Bajaj did not respond to queries by the time of publication. Currently, the Freedom 125 faces a challenging road, caught between an unreliable CNG network and a fast-growing EV market, leading to doubts about the future of CNG motorcycles in India's changing transportation scene.

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