5 Things to know before opting for a CNG kit

Posted on: May 13, 2020 | | Written by:

5 Things to know before opting for a CNG kit

Published on June 22, 2020. EST READ TIME: 5 MIN

Whether you are an environmentalist concerned with fuel emissions or just someone worried about skyrocketing fuel prices – the answer to your worries is a CNG kit. A CNG kit can bring a drastic change in your car’s mileage and is a proven environment friendly alternative, but it comes with its share of cons and it is important to explore and analyze all the perspectives of getting your car fitted with a CNG kit.

Although economical and sustainable here is a flipside view to keep in mind before opting for a CNG kit:

Compatibility: Check your car’s compatibility before getting a CNG kit installed, not all cars are CNG fuel compatible. If your car is compatible, then the next course of action would be to get government approval and a registration certificate (RC) stating ‘Fuel Change’. You can forego these hassles if you are getting a CNG kit fitted in a brand new car, as it will be less tedious and time consuming to get the requisite permissions and approvals.
Installation and maintenance costs: The installation cost of a CNG kit is on the higher side and may feel like a big investment. However it is not a futile investment for sure, with its high mileage and low running costs, you can recover the initially invested amount over some years. The maintenance cost of a CNG fueled car though is a little steep as compared to petrol or diesel powered cars.
Fewer and farther refueling stations: CNG fueling stations are fewer as compared to petrol pumps that you’ll find aplenty. This results in some inconvenience as you have to diligently remember to re-fill your tank before going on long drives. The less no. of CNG pumps also result in long queues most of the times.
Increased insurance premium: The high maintenance and damage repair costs associated with CNG cars command a higher insurance premium. Although the car’s model and age are also considerable factors in the amount of premium you will pay, it is advisable to compare car insurance plans from different insurance providers before opting for a CNG fueled car.
Performance: A noticeable difference has been observed in a CNG kit fitted car’s performance vis a vis a petrol or diesel variant. A CNG car’s performance is known to deteriorate over a period of time and thus gives low power and speed. As a result of the degrading performance levels, you may have the car serviced on a frequent basis.

Having gone through the factors that come into play once you own a CNG fueled car, we can safely say that whatever fuel type you zero in on, it is always advisable to get a comprehensive car insurance plan that will cover any losses you may incur due to damage or repairs.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details,please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

This blog has been written by

S. Gopalakrishnan | Motor Insurance Expert | 40+years of experience in insurance industry

A veteran in insurance industry. S. Gopalakrishnan is a name to reckon with in the field of reinsurance,he has headed the Reinsurance department and has rich experience in other fields of motor insurance. He loves to share his opinion on latest topics in the insurance industry and how he can help people in safeguarding their assets using insurance products.

S. Gopalakrishnan recommends "HDFC ERGO for your vehicle insurance needs, it has always put customer’s interest at the forefront, with round the clock assistance to deal with emergency breakdown issues and hassle free claims process. You can be assured of complete and reliable guidance through the whole process".

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