Mahanagar Gas Ltd has launched a CNG-fueled two-wheeler, whose running costs work out to a minuscule 60 paise a kilometre. The eco-friendly vehicle also helps in cutting emission levels.

The vehicle was launched by Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Mumbai, at a function presided by Vinod Tawde, Minister for Education, Youth, Sports & Cultural Affairs and guardian minister of Mumbai Suburban.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said the launch of CNG-fueled two-wheelers will give an opportunity to more than 360,000 two- wheelers running in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to opt for this eco-friendly fuel.

In the last few years, sales of CNG-powered vehicles are claimed to have grown in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region at a CAGR of over 70 percent.

The CNG kit for two-wheelers comprises two CNG cylinders of 1.2kg each, which offer up to 120 to 130km per kg at an approximate cost of Rs 0.60 per kilometre per single fill.

In the initial phase, the scooters are to be retrofitted with a CNG kit manufactured by Lovato. At present, two kit manufacturers – ITUK and Lovato – have got two-wheeler CNG kits approved by ARAI, Pune and ICAT Gurgaon, respectively. Lovato has received approval for 18 scooter models of various OEMs.

In the current state following multiple scooter variants can run on CNG fuels.