Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) has launched compressed natural gas (CNG) kits for scooters at Rs 16,500. Having received approval from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), MNGL flagged off five CNG-powered Honda Activa scooters in Pune yesterday to mark the occasion.
This step has been aimed at reducing the pollution caused by petrol-powered scooters. CNG kits can reduce hydrocarbon emissions by 75 per cent and carbon monoxide emissions by 20 per cent. The kit is offered with a two kilogram cylinder which gives the scooter a range of 120 kilometres.
There is no doubt that this initiative is a step in the right direction, though implementing it on a large scale will require a big infrastructure push. CNG refuelling stations in metro cities are already overburdened serving taxi fleet services, three-wheelers and passenger vehicles. With two-wheelers coming into the equation, it is obvious that the refuelling infrastructure will also require a major upgrade. MNGL currently has 34 CNG fuel pumps in Pune, and it plans to add more stations over the next few months.
Source: ToI