The world’s first motorcycle running on LNG

Running motorcycle natural gas ? This is the idea of ​​an Indian company Bajaj Autospecialist in two wheels but also scooters millions of people are found on Indian streets. Recently, managing director Rajiv Bajaj spoke on Indian television about a somewhat special two-wheeler for the Indian market. The manufacturer wants to bring a motorcycle with an engine to the market Compressed natural gas (LNG). Also called NGV for “Vehicle Natural Gas” this gas is used as fuel as well as for powering the engines of cars, trucks, buses and even heavy trucks. And soon a motorcycle! In addition, it emits less CO₂ during combustion and almost without small particles, it is one of the so-called “stable” types of fuel. Like hydrogen, using CNG requires a high-pressure (200 to 250 bar) gas storage cylinder to be installed on the motorcycle. These tanks should be cylindrical to equalize the pressure inside their cabin and generally take up more space than a gas tank in a conventional gas powered motorcycle. One of the advantages of LNG as an alternative to fossil fuels is that existing internal combustion vehicles can be converted to run on LNG, producing fewer emissions.

Bajaj Auto is the leader in India on two and three wheels

In his interview, the industrialist clarifies that the Indian motorcycle market “are divided into movements […], the most popular are 100-125cc and 150-160cc. That’s why we believe a CNG motorcycle should appeal to consumers at all three of these volume points, allowing us to create a portfolio that’s not just a motorcycle with a certain volume.“. The manufacturer clarifies that it wants to announce its upcoming CNG model by the end of the year, for sale in India by 2025. The company, founded in 1944 by the Indian Jamnalal Bajaj, specializes in two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles (the famous knock knock found on the streets of the country). The industrialist especially makes new things Triumph Speed ​​400 or Scrambler 400two vintage cars with a single-cylinder engine with a diameter of 398 cm³ liquid cooling, power in 40 horses. Bajaj Auto is now the second largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India Hero of Hondaanother Indian motorcycle and scooter manufacturer founded in Delhi in 1984. The latter was a joint venture between Hero Cycles and Honda Motor Company before the Japanese left the capital in 2010.