India's Bajaj Auto has launched the world's first compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered two-wheeler, the Freedom 125, in Pune. The entry-level vehicle, likely priced at Rs 95,000, aims to shake up the motorcycle market. CEO Rajiv Bajaj praised the bike as an avatar of freedom and freedom from petrol. Key features include telescopic front forks, mono-link suspension, front disc and rear drum brake setup, and a 125cc engine.
Bajaj Auto, India's third largest motorcycle maker , on Friday launched the world's first compressed natural gas ( CNG )-powered two-wheeler, Freedom 125, in Pune under a separate brand Bajaj's bi-fuel motorcycle . Aiming to shake things up in the motorcycle market, the company announced that it will be available at Rs 95,000 (ex-showroom). The bike will be available in six colours and three variants.
The range of the bike will be 330 km. The company announced that the booking will start today at the Bajaj Auto website and dealership.
The company claimed that the bike has 50 per cent lower maintenance cost in comparison to other bikes.
The motorcycle features dual-fuel capability, running on both petrol and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) with a simple button switch.
The Bajaj Freedom 125 will come in three variants: Drum, Drum LED, and Disc LED, priced at Rs 95,000, Rs 1.05 Lakh, and Rs 1.10 Lakh respectively (ex-showroom, India). Powered by a 125cc single-cylinder engine, the Freedom 125 can generate 9.5 PS of power and 9.7 Nm of torque.
Bajaj claims it offers a mileage of 213 kilometers per kilogram of CNG. The bike boasts the longest seat in its segment, standing at 785mm.
Notably, one in every two motorcycles sold in the local market belongs to the entry level.
The launch event was attended by Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari . Addressing the media, Gadkari mentioned that the operational cost of CNG two-wheelers would be approximately Re 1 per kilometer.
The Freedom 125 includes a 2 kg CNG tank.
Speaking at the launch event, CEO Rajiv Bajaj said that the bike is an avatar of freedom and freedom from petrol.
"India can show the world how we can move away from petrol and diesel and move towards cleaner fuel.
" Speaking to ET Now, Bajaj Auto's Executive Director Rakesh Sharma earlier "said that the Bajaj CNG bike is the outcome of a very intense exercise over the last two to three years.
"It addresses a very large market size.
Almost 70% of the one million per month market of motorcycles has some level of sensitivity to fuel economy," he had said.
Expected key features Telescopic front forks Mono-link suspension A front disc and rear drum brake setup Engine up to 125 cc Conventional fuel tank with CNG cylinder placed beneath