Posted on: Mar 7, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

CNG Car Vs Petrol Car: What's the Difference?

CNG car insurance online

‘CNG vs petrol car’ is a long-standing debate and dilemma for consumers. CNG cars offer fuel economy, but does it offer other benefits? Since each fuel has pros and cons, it’s difficult to reach a concrete answer considering all aspects. Let's find out CNG car vs Petrol Car components so as to make the right choice.

What is a Petrol Car?

Petrol cars, which use petrol to operate, have been around for over a century and are the most widely used car type. Crude oil is the source of petrol or gasoline.

What is a CNG Car?

CNG cars are those that run on compressed natural gas (CNG). Compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure (approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch) yields CNG.

CNG or Petrol Car; Which is Better?

Before you decide whether you should get a CNG car or a petrol car, you will have to look into different aspects. Some of the common factors to consider to determine which one is a reliable choice are as follows:

Aspect Petrol Cars CNG Cars
Mileage Low High
Initial Cost Lower than CNG cars Expensive
Maintenance Lower than CNG cars Higher than petrol cars
Fuel Cost Expensive Inexpensive
Range Low High
Performance Powerful than CNG cars Lesser power than petrol cars
Running Cost Higher than CNG cars Lower than petrol cars

Advantages of petrol cars

Owning petrol cars in India can prove to be extremely beneficial, because of the following:

1. Affordable:

Petrol cars are very affordable which makes them a top choice amongst budget-conscious customers.

2. Better fuel economy:

Petrol engines are more fuel efficient which further contributes to affordability in the long run. Smaller cars that run on petrol engines tend to deliver better performance.

3. Availability:

Petrol cars are very easily available in India. Moreover, riding them is also easy because of the availability of petrol stations. So, while on your ride if your car comes to a half, you can find a fuel station and refuel your vehicle.

4. Better Performance:

Petrol cars offer better performance and acceleration. Unlike other vehicles, these petrol cars offer the convenience of smooth handling and a great driving experience.

5. Easy to Maintain:

Comparatively, petrol cars are easy to maintain. Moreover, their service is also less expensive. If any car part breaks down, it will be easier to deal with these because petrol cars offer the benefit of fewer components which are easily available in the market.

Advantages of CNG cars

The CNG cars have a lot of advantages to offer, which is why most people prefer them. Some of the key advantages of the CNG cars are as follows:

1. Environment-friendly:

CNG cars are very environment-friendly as they emit fewer pollutants of greenhouse gases.

2. Better fuel efficiency:

Compared to petrol cars, CNG cars have better fuel efficiency which can lead to less expenditure on fuel.

3. Low costs:

CNG costs less than petrol which can be extremely beneficial for you in the long run.

4. Clean burning fuel:

CNG cars have a longer lifespan because they use clean burning fuel. This reduces additional pressure on the vehicles.

Disadvantages of petrol cars

Petrol cars may be beneficial, but they have a lot of disadvantages as well. Some of the key disadvantages of petrol cars are as follows:

1. Petrol cars need frequent maintenance. Although they are low cost to maintain, frequent maintenance can often increase the costs.

2. Green tax is being levied across the country, which can increase the overall costs. The petrol cars do not comply with sustainability, which is why the pricing is generally higher.

3. Petrol engines tend to produce a lot of sound, which eventually leads to noise pollution. This can be a nuisance to the ones driving, especially causing a variety of health risks.

4. The fuel costs are rising with each passing day. Therefore, driving petrol cars can prove to be extremely expensive in the long run. Owning petrol car insurance in the long run may be slightly expensive.

Disadvantages of CNG cars

CNG cars may be great, but they do have some drawbacks, some of which include the following:

1. CNG engines have less horsepower. Therefore, the acceleration will also be pretty slow as compared to the petrol cars.

2. Running your CNG cars can be slightly difficult due to the limited availability of refuelling stations. Therefore, you may not be able to drive it everywhere.

3. CNG cars have very little boot space. Thus, the space for cargo will also be less.

4. CNG cars are very expensive. It can be difficult to buy and even maintain these cars in the long run.

How to convert a petrol car to a CNG car?

Considering the rising ecological concerns, most people want eco-friendly cars. Therefore, car manufacturers are also introducing various factory-fitted CNG kits with the vehicles. So, if you have a petrol car you can use these kits to convert the car into CNG powered.

If a factory-fitted kit isn't available to you, it is advisable to look for an aftermarket CNG fuel kit. However, before converting the petrol car into a CNG car, it is advisable to take into consideration a few factors, such as the following:

1. Always check compatibility before the conversion, because some older cars may not be compatible for conversion to CNG cars.

2. It is important that you buy an aftermarket CNG fuel kit only from professional or authorised dealers.

3. Check if there are any CNG filling stations near where you live. Moreover, if you're going on a trip, you will have to consider this as well.

4. CNG car insurance premiums are usually higher because of the high maintenance costs.

Top petrol cars in India

The top petrol cars in India are as follows:

Lotus Emira Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
Kia Sonet Hyundai i20
Tata Nexon Mahindra XUV 3XO
Skoda Kylaq Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
Mahindra XUV700 Hyundai Venue

Top CNG cars in India

Below are some of the top CNG cars in India you may consider buying:

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Tata Tiago NRG
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Toyota Glanza
Tata Altroz Tata Tigor
Hyundai Aura Maruti Suzuki Celerio
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Maruti Suzuki Eeco

Conclusion

When it comes to CNG cars vs Petrol cars make sure that your research is in place for the best choice. If you plan to switch from a petrol to a CNG car or vice versa, you would need a new car insurance policy. While third party insurance is mandatory, we suggest you buy comprehensive car insurance for coverage against third-party liabilities and damages to your vehicle due to an unfortunate event.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a CNG car better than petrol?

Well, CNG cars do prove to be more beneficial than petrol because the former tends to outperform the petrol cars.

2. Can CNG engines reduce the lifespan of the vehicle?

No, CNG vehicles do not reduce the lifespan of the vehicles. This is a very common misconception that most people have.

3. Should I convert my petrol car to a CNG car?

Yes, if required you may convert a petrol car to a CNG car. However, it is advisable to test the prerequisites of the project before making the choice.


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


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