The world’s first mass-produced CNG motorcycle, the Pulsar NS400Zwill be launched on June 18, 2024. The vehicle Bajaj Auto will be positioned at the lower end of the price range and is just one of many vehicles that will follow. With gasoline prices rising, alternative fuel concepts such as hydrogen or battery-powered electric motors are becoming increasingly important for motorcycles.
Motorcycles are powered by CNG (compressed natural gas) in the same way as cars. The natural gas is stored under high pressure in a cylindrical tank on the motorcycle, from where it is pumped into the fuel lines via a pressure regulator. It then reaches the engine where it is mixed with air and burned to power the engine. Although there are conversion kits for motorcycles that can be powered by compressed natural gas, there is no mass production model yet.
In addition to the lower cost of natural gas, motorcycles running on CNG emit less CO2 and pollutants than gasoline or diesel motorcycles. According to an interview with CEO Rajiv Bajaj on CNBC-TV18 in 2023, the prototype achieved “a 75% reduction in carbon monoxide” compared to a gasoline-powered motorcycle, and almost no hydrocarbons. methane was not detected. There is, however, a catch: compressed natural gas stations are not yet very widespread.
The exact name of the car has not yet been revealed, but the company registered the first possible brand names several months ago, such as Marathon, Glider, Trekker, Freedom and others. Engine specifications are also unknown, and it is unclear whether sketchy design details from the prototype will make it into the production model.
Although prototypes were seen on the roads, they were still conventional combustion engine motorcycles before they were converted to CNG motorcycles. A Bajaj Platina 110 model spotted by ZigWheels could indicate that the CNG motorcycle could run as a 110cc equivalent. Additionally, RushLane has provided photos of other prototypes that suggest the possibility of a 125cc engine and dual-fuel system.
