CNG vs Electric: Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG vs Ola S1 Air Compared

Bajaj recently launched the world's first CNG motorcycle: the Freedom 125. The pricing for the CNG bike starts at ₹ 95,000 and goes up to ₹ 1.10 lakh (ex-showroom). It has got a bi-fuel option of running on CNG as well as petrol. This directly challenges potential EV buyers, with the closest competitor in terms of price being the Ola S1 Air at ₹ 1.03 lakh. Here's a comparison that will be helpful for economy-minded consumers in making their decision.

Running Cost

The Ola S1 Air has a low running cost of approximately ₹0.13 per kilometre. A full charge costs around ₹6. In contrast, the Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG averages ₹0.72 per kilometre in CNG mode and ₹1.59 per kilometre in petrol. While the electric vehicle wins in terms of running cost, state-wise fluctuating electricity prices could impact this. The other side of the equation is that EV owners who charge at home may not directly perceive the cost of charging, leading to a feeling of carefree usage.

Claimed Range

The Bajaj Freedom 125 has a claimed range of 330 km on CNG and petrol. It has a 2-litre petrol tank and a 2-kg CNG tank. The ARAI-claimed mileage for petrol usage is 65 kmpl, whereas CNG has a mileage of 102 km per kg. The Ola S1 Air has an IDC range of 151 km. While it is lower than the Bajaj Freedom, charging and refuelling times add another layer of complexity to this aspect.

Charging time vs Refill time

CNG takes similar time to refuel as petrol vehicles. Electric vehicles on other hand have a certain amount of wait even if you are topping up the charge while commuting. The Ola S1 Air has a charging time of 5 hours for an 80% charge. You can top up while on the go, but it's not as quick as filling a tank. Refuelling a CNG tank itself is not slow, taking about 5 minutes for the CNG and another 5 minutes for the petrol tank. The real challenge comes with longer queues at CNG stations. Bajaj has requested separate CNG filling lines, requiring a 180 bar fuel filling rate at bullet stations. Adani CNG has said that it would create separate CNG lines for bikes. Currently because there are less CNG bikes, rickshaw and car guys let you cut across to fuel up ahead.

Storage advantage

The Ola S1 Air leverages its scooter design by offering 34 litres of under-seat storage space. This can accommodate a basic helmet and some additional belongings, including the charger.

The Bajaj Freedom, on the other hand, boasts a spacious design with the longest seat in the commuter motorcycle segment. It allows the pillion rider to comfortably carry a significant amount of cargo between themselves and the driver.

Safety

Safety with CNG is a top priority. The government's safety mandate is quite strict, and Bajaj has also conducted 11 tests that make safety a top concern for the Bajaj Freedom 125. The bike has shown perfect scores in these safety tests, with no change in CNG tank pressure, no damage to the valve, and no movement of the tank within the chassis.

Electric vehicles, on the other hand, have faced issues with fires and thermal runaway. Additionally, some quality concerns have been raised regarding certain Ola products.

Maintenance

The Ola S1 Air and all other Ola scooters boast an 8-year battery warranty. Additionally, these scooters theoretically require minimal maintenance in terms of consumables. While software updates and belt drive maintenance are necessary, these are infrequent and can often be delayed without significant impact.

The Bajaj Freedom 125, though the world's first CNG motorcycle, requires maintenance similar to a petrol bike with some additional considerations for the CNG system. Regular oil changes, brake checks, and occasional replacement of consumables remain necessary. Furthermore, the CNG tank requires inspection and certification every two years. In case of faults, the owner might need to replace the tank or associated components. This would be anyday cheaper than replacing the complete battery on an electric vehicle after eight years or upon degradation of battery health. In overall sense although CNG might require timely maintenance, it is frugal even in the long run.

Features

While the Bajaj Freedom 125 keeps things simple, the Ola S1 Air boasts a wealth of features powered by its versatile MoveOS4 software. The latest update offers a range of functionalities, including Ola Maps with a user-friendly interface akin to Google Maps. Additionally, the S1 Air provides riders with four levels of regenerative braking for improved efficiency. Convenience features like cruise control, hill-hold assist, proximity unlock, and a "Find Your Scooter" function further enhance the riding experience.

In contrast, the Bajaj Freedom 125 offers limited features. Bluetooth connectivity for calls and navigation is only available on the top-end variant, and the instrument cluster is a small LCD that pales in comparison to the Ola's larger screen.

Overall, when comparing the economic aspects, CNG motorcycles don't necessarily surpass the benefits of EVs. Low charging rates of an EV are bound to sound lucratively attractive. However, CNGs will offer just as much resale value after 5-6 years as a petrol two-wheeler. And it just turns out to be quite convenient for a wider range of operations as well. With the Ola, you will be restricted to within the city limits, making it an urban purchase only.