KR Fuels From Tamil Nadu Gets Approval For Scooter LPG Conversion

KR Fuels, a company based in Tamil Nadu, has received approval for the first-ever LPG conversion kits for two-wheelers in India. This approval comes days before the launch of the first-ever CNG motorcycle from Bajaj Auto. The tech here has the potential to revolutionise the scooter market at a cost which would be quite lower than buying a new two-wheeler. It is just an add-on to the existing scooters.

These LPG retrofitment kits from KR Fuels can be installed on BS4-compliant scooters. It promises reduced running costs and cleaner emissions compared to traditional petrol. KR Fuels' LPG conversion kit is priced between ₹9,500 and ₹10,500, with an all-inclusive cost of around ₹15,500 after factoring in installation charges. The company manufactures the entire kit in its Trichy facility. This includes a 5-litre LPG tank, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), wiring harnesses, and injectors. Having secured all necessary certifications, KR Fuels is now prepared to roll out these kits across India.

Initial production has already begun, with the first batch of 8,000 LPG tanks ready for distribution. KR Fuels currently operates a network of 73 auto LPG stations and 7 retrofitment centres across Tamil Nadu. However, there is no official word on whether the company plans to expand its services to other states.

Uncertainties Remain

While KR Fuels' LPG conversion kits represent a promising development, some uncertainties remain. The exact fuel cost savings compared to petrol haven't been officially disclosed by KR Fuels. Additionally, the long-term safety of these retrofitted kits on scooters needs careful evaluation. We suggest consumers should thoroughly research these aspects before considering conversion. Also, the fact that it is BS4 compatible is great. There is no news as to why there is no BS6 compatibility for it.

We are optimistic about the potential of this technology. Suyash Gupta, Director General of the Indian Auto LPG Coalition, called this a "significant milestone" that could pave the way for cleaner transportation options. He emphasised the potential for reducing vehicular emissions, especially considering the high number of two-wheelers in Tamil Nadu alone. He has urged the government to reduce the current 28% GST on these kits to 5% to make them more affordable and support the Make in India initiative.

While these are just kits that can be retrofitted, the Bajaj CNG bike should offer more reliability as it is a complete product that has been purpose-made to be run on CNG. So the engine components, lines and other hardware have been made to withstand the gas nature of the fuel. Petrol engines rely on petrol's liquid nature and cooling effect for thermal efficiency. Retrofitmet of LPG might lead to increased heat and reduce the reliability of engine components that were originally made to run on petrol. We hope to test both these technologies in the coming times and give a detailed review of the same.