Bajaj Auto launches world’s first CNG-powered bike, Freedom 125, priced at Rs 95,000
Bajaj Auto launches world's first CNG-powered bike, Freedom 125, priced at Rs 95,000
Bajaj Auto aims for a significant market share in entry-level bikes with the launch of the world’s first CNG motorbike.
The launch event featured Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto Ltd., and Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director of Bajaj Auto Ltd.
Twenty-five years ago, when Bajaj Auto introduced India’s first CNG three-wheeler, managing director Rajiv Bajaj received an unexpected phone call from his Delhi team.
A group of auto-rickshaw drivers had damaged the showroom facades in Delhi. Bajaj recalled, “I was taken aback as I thought the CNG bike offered a great value proposition to them. But they were upset as there was only one CNG fuel pump in Delhi at that time, and they had to wait for 10-12 hours in queues to fuel their vehicles, which effectively negated the savings they made.”
Now, with the launch of the world’s first CNG bike, the Freedom 125, things have changed significantly. The bike comes in three variants, seven colors, and is priced between Rs 95,000 to Rs 1.1 lakh. India now has 6,000 CNG fuel stations across 335 cities and counting.
Calling the Freedom 125 a ‘gamechanger’, Bajaj said that this bike offers freedom from petrol imports, harmful emissions, skyrocketing petrol prices, range anxiety, and the struggle to find charging stations. “I miss my father deeply today,” said an emotional Bajaj, launching the 100th product in his 34-year career.
Bajaj Auto took two and a half years to perfect this technology, allowing the commuter to switch between CNG and petrol seamlessly at the click of a button, even while riding the bike. The Freedom 125 offers 50 percent cost savings by significantly reducing fuel expenses compared to petrol motorcycles. The CNG tank provides a range of over 200 km on 2 kg of CNG, and additionally, the 2-litre petrol tank provides a range of 130 km—resulting in an overall range of 330 km for a full tank.
