CNG is regarded as a more affordable and viable alternative to petrol and diesel, at least in big Indian cities.
As per the latest information, the prices of CNG have become even costlier than petrol and diesel in many cities in India. We know that the vital appeal of CNG cars used to be their affordability factor compared to regular fuel-powered vehicles. The astronomically rising petrol and diesel prices, particularly in the last couple of years have forced vehicle owners to look elsewhere for alternatives. At least in big cities, the infrastructure around CNG is well-developed. That made a ton of people shift to CNG powertrains. However, the latest trends suggest that that might no longer be the case.
CNG Prices Costlier Than Petrol
According to the latest rates, the cost of 1 litre of petrol in Agra, UP is Rs 96.63, while a kg CNG costs Rs 97 making the latter 27 paise more expensive. Similarly, 1 kg CNG costs Rs 97 in Lucknow, while 1 litre of petrol is priced at Rs 96.57 in the capital city of Lucknow. The difference here is 43 paise. The major reason for this is the recent price hike in CNG rates. The government has increased the CNG prices for the second time in a matter of 1 month making it more expensive than petrol.
It could be a sign of worry for a whole lot of people who shifted to CNG trying to avoid the rising petrol and diesel prices. For the uninitiated, CNG powertrains are less powerful than petrol prices which is a compromise people are willing to make in a bid to save money. However, if that aspect loses its merit, the entire purpose of installing/buying CNG kits for vehicles could be defeated.
CNG Mileage is Better
However, we would like to inform our readers that all is not lost. Despite the CNG prices being so high at the moment compared to petrol prices, the mileage offered by CNG cars is much higher than their petrol counterparts. Therefore, the appeal of low running costs is still not lost. Nevertheless, if the prices continue to rise further, it could be concerning for car owners. What do you think about this?