CNG scooters now to hit roads, will help curbing pollution and help consumers to save fuel cost.

The pollution is on high and alarming level in various metropolitan cities. According to reports, breathing in some cities is more dangerous than smoking. The rising levels of pollution has led to some frantic attempts to curb emission, including banning of diesel vehicles with engine capacities of over 2000 cc and implementation of odd-even rule. Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Environment, Forests & Climate Change Shri Prakash Javadekar launched first of its kind Pilot Programme in the country to run two wheelers on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in New Delhi today.

Being implemented by Indraprastha Gas Limited and one of its parent company, GAIL (India) Limited, the Pilot Programme involves 50 CNG retrofitted two wheelers. Of these, the first batch of ten CNG retrofitted two wheelers were flagged off by the dignitaries today. Iranian kits have been used for retrofitment. The introduction of CNG in two wheeler segment has the capacity to revolutionize the fight against air pollution in the country and especially in the metros like Delhi, where two wheelers contribute a major portion in the vehicular emissions, according to several studies.

The scooters are being retrofitted with CNG kit manufactured by M/s Ituk Manufacturing India Pvt. Ltd. The type approval of the CNG kit has been taken from ARAI as well as Transport Department. The type approvals of all Components, parts, assemblies in the kit have been received from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization, International Center for Automotive Technology and ARAI, as applicable. The retrofitment in vehicles has been undertaken in a centre authorized by Transport Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi.

As per idle emission test, the hydrocarbon emissions from CNG retrofitted two wheelers are 75% lesser and CO emissions are 20% lesser as compared to petrol driven similar models. The CNG kit for two wheelers comprises two CNG cylinders of 4.8 litre water capacity each, which can be filled with up to 1 kg of CNG in each cylinder. These CNG retrofitted two wheelers can be ridden up to 120 km in a single fill and are expected to be substantially economical as compared to a similar petrol run vehicle at the current level of prices, as per the kit manufacturer.

The performance of 50 CNG retrofitted two wheelers would be closely monitored in terms of efficiency, emissions, etc. during the pilot phase by all the stakeholders and the learning from this project would be used to develop the roadmap for introduction of CNG in two wheeler segment across the nation.

Initially the sale of scooter will be available in Delhi NCR only and later will be made in all major cities which are struggling to maintain pollution level in the air. Apart from curbing pollution, CNG scooters will definitely help owners to be economical with mileage and maintenance. Hope this move brings favorable results.