Maruti logs highest ever sales of CNG cars at 1.57 lakh units in FY21

On Wednesday, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) announced that it delivered more than 1.57 lakh CNG cars in FY21, the most it has ever sold in a fiscal. In 2019-20, the automaker delivered 1,06,444 CNG vehicles.

The Alto, Celerio, Wagon-R, S-PRESSO, Eeco, Ertiga, Tour S, and Super Carry are among MSI's factory-fitted CNG vehicles.

MSI Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Mr. Shashank Srivastava said, “CNG, in our opinion, has set a new standard for green fuel mobility. Maruti Suzuki provides the most extensive range of factory-fitted CNG-powered vehicles to its customers.”

He said, “CNG is rapidly becoming one of the most common alternative fuels due to its low operating costs (in comparison to high gasoline and diesel prices) and enhanced CNG filling infrastructure.”

He added that even in challenging circumstances, the company believes that factory-fitted CNG vehicles will gain greater acceptance due to the government's strong emphasis on expanding CNG outlets in the region.

According to the company’s statement, MSI's S-CNG vehicle line-up is in line with the government's goal of lowering oil imports.

The government wants to increase natural gas's share of the country's energy basket from 6.2% now to 15% by 2030.

According to MSI, the company's S-CNG technology will be instrumental in democratising green cars in the region.

It added, “the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, as well as the gas industry, are working hard to expand CNG stations across the country.”

Despite a total lockdown in the first few months of FY21, MSI said that > 700 stations have been added in the last year alone, representing an increase of more than 50%.

The demand for CNG vehicles will be aided by this pace of network expansion, according to the study.

There are currently > 2,800 CNG stations across the country, with 10,000 expected to open in the next 7-8 years, according to the study.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.