CNG or LPG for my new Maruti Alto LXi OR New Indica Xeta with CNG

Hi,

I have a Maruti Alto LXi Bought in Jan 07. I have atravelling of average 1500 km per month. What should i do to save my cost of running ?

1. Get a CNG/ LPG kit fitted? if yes which one and from where?Cost of kit? How safe it is as compared to petrol as cars caught fire these days?

or

2. EXTREME STEP -Sell this car and buy a new India Xeta top model(fitted with CNG from dealer) of Buy a Santro Xing with CNG as it is launced in 2007 end ?

 

Plz give ur advice.

Hi Sharad,

Allow me to first welcome you to the CarWale family.

Now, as per your query - Alto is a fine performer and delivers well with petrol. Running the car on CNG the car will experience a power loss of close to about 20-25%. Since Alto only has an 800cc engine, it will be quite an ask from the motor. But the fitment should not be a problem and if done by a highly trained mechanic, should pose no problems. The kit will cost you about Rs 35,000.

Alternatively, there are a few cars that you could consider. First being the Tata Indica with CNG, second Hyundai Santro CNG and the third, Maruti Wagon-R DUO.

Wagon-R DUO runs on petrol as well as on LPG. The power loss is not very substantial but LPG costs  more than CNG. Tata Indica CNG is a good option. It is spacious, comfortable and pretty economical to run but is not as refined as either the Maruti or the Hyundai. The Santro is another viable option for you. It has been the bestseller in is class, has been a proven performer and now comes with the CNG option too!

I would suggest that if it is possible, do sell off the Alto and go in for either the Wagon R DUO or the Santro CNG. Both come factory-fitted with LPG and CNG kits respectively, which is surely anyday better than after-market fitment.

Hi Ashish,

Firstly thx for making me a part of the family by replying me.I drive mostly in city so power is not a concern for me actually, what matters most is safety,if i am driving my car with AC on, car fitted with central locking, how safe i am in CNG  fitted by a outside machanic as compared to petrol ?

Sharad,

No after-market fitment can be as reliable and safe as the factory-fitted one. As for driving a CNG powered car with a/c blowing all the time, it will not pose any threat, be assured. My only concern is that the CNG kit fitment should be done perfectly. As for the Alto, please feel free to get the CNG kit, but from a relaible and technically sound mechanic/shop.

Hi Sharad... well 1st of all i wud lik to ask u wher exactly do u live ??..Because ur profile says u liv in Lucknow.... if thats true,then i am not sure if CNG is an option for u..... have you checked ur CIty for CNG/LPG ???...

dun worry... the CNG fitted by an Outside wud be as safe as the Santro or the Indica CNG ...since they also get the kit fitted frm an outside mechanic..... so go for quality.... go to the same workshops...mite be a little more expensive,but its worth it. Also,the CNG Santro is available only in DELhi as of now. And incase u're not planning to change ur car,i wud suggest u to go 4 LPG... since powerloss is lesser ,and initial investment wud be abt 30 k lesser than CNG.

Hi, i have a tata indica petrol 1.4...and its done around 15000 kms. I bought the car in april 2006 and i have kept the car up to date with respect to the servicing and regular checkups...but still i do not get an average above 8.5kmpl. the car is working perfectly...no problems as such as i havent taken it to the garage for any mechanical reason except its regular servicing. ive decided to get it retrofitted with cng/lpg .i just want to know which one is the better option with respect to mileage, cost of fitting, difference in overall performance and availability?
Suraj, Mumbai

hi Suraj..... well.,,Tata is now offering Xeta with CNg as an add-on option.... in which the warranty remains intact..bt neways..u're warranty has expired so it wont matter to u .... CNG n LPg hav their own pro's n cons..... lets answer ur questions accroding to ur preferences.... Mileage--CNG Cost of fitting-CNG's fitting cost is more expensive. performance-LPG is better... Availability---CNG is commonly available ...(in Metro's only )...ad in Mumbai,LPG staions are fewr than CNG stations...

1. to save on running costs ... convert to lpg

2. get a good italian kit fitted from th best fitter u can find at lucknow ... cost of fitting abt 15-18k .......autolpg is safer than petrol .....no known instances of cars catching fire coz of lpg

3. cng is not available at lucknow !!

4.after market fitment ... if done with a reliable fitter ... cud b more reliable and safer than th factory fitted

5. on a well fit italian kit .... even an expert cannot distinguish between petrol and lpg running ....

6. cng is available only in 3-4 cities ...... while lpg is available across th country in over 100 cities n towns