Bajaj Auto, a leading two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the Freedom 125, the world’s first CNG-powered motorcycle, marking a significant step towards eco-friendly and economical commuting. This innovative bike is designed to cater to value-conscious customers, offering a blend of affordability, efficiency, and practicality.
Bajaj Freedom CNG Launch Details
The Bajaj Freedom 125 was launched in July at a price of ₹95,000 (ex-showroom). The launch event was attended by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in Pune. Initially available in Maharashtra, Bajaj Auto plans to expand the availability of the Freedom 125 to other markets, including exports to countries like Bangladesh and Egypt. However, within five months of its launch, Bajaj Auto reduced the price of the Freedom 125 by up to ₹10,000. The base variant now costs ₹89,997 (ex-showroom), while the mid-spec model is priced at ₹95,002 (ex-showroom).
Bajaj Freedom CNG Specifications and Design
The design of the Bajaj Freedom 125 seamlessly integrates form and function. It features an LED headlight in the top two variants, a dirt bike-style fuel tank, a long seat, and a sleek tail section with a neatly integrated grab handle. The motorcycle is built on a tubular trellis frame with a linked monoshock, which is the first in its segment. It has a 17-inch front wheel and a 16-inch rear wheel. Braking duties are handled by a disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear, but the base variant has drum brakes on both ends. The Bajaj Freedom 125 has a 2kg CNG tank placed in the central area of the bike and a 2-liter petrol tank above and in front of the CNG tank. There is a common filler cap for both CNG and petrol, and riders can switch between the two fuels with a switch.
Bajaj Freedom CNG Safety Features
Safety is a paramount concern with CNG vehicles because the fuel is stored in a compressed form in a high-pressure tank. Bajaj has addressed these concerns by subjecting the Freedom 125 to rigorous testing. The CNG bike has been crash-tested in 11 different ways, including impact tests, drop tests, and a 10-ton Truck Runover Test.
During the Front Collision Test, the bike was crashed into a 1.5-ton moving collision barrier at 60kmph to simulate head-on collisions. In the Truck Runover Test, a 10-ton truck was driven over the CNG bike to simulate conditions where the bike is run over. In both tests, the CNG tank remained intact, maintaining its shape and pressure without any leakage. Other tests included a Frontal Pendulum Test, a Rear Impact Test, Left and Right Side Impact Tests, a Vertical Drop Test, a ‘50kg Filling Unit Strength Test’, two CNG Valve Impact Tests, and a ‘20G Pull Out Test’.
The trellis frame and subframe are designed to protect the CNG cylinder, acting as a cage to prevent damage in collisions. Additionally, the engine is positioned away from the CNG cylinder to prevent heat from affecting the tank.
Bajaj Freedom CNG Engine and Performance
The Bajaj Freedom 125 is powered by a 125cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that produces 9.5bhp at 8,000rpm and 9.7Nm at 6,000rpm. The engine is paired with a five-speed gearbox. While Bajaj claims that the engine output figures are identical in both petrol and CNG modes, tests have shown a slight difference in performance. In petrol mode, the Freedom 125 accelerates from 0-60kmph in 7.85 seconds, while in CNG mode, it takes 8.28 seconds.
The Freedom 125 is noted for its smoothness, feeling almost electric at city speeds with no vibrations. It can cruise comfortably at 80kmph in 5th gear on the highway without any vibrations. The bike is also tractable, allowing riders to maintain slow speeds in high gears. Switching between petrol and CNG is seamless with a switch on the left handlebar.
Bajaj Freedom CNG Technology and Features
The Bajaj Freedom 125 features a dedicated CNG tank under the fuel tank, capable of holding 2kg of CNG along with a 2-liter petrol tank. Riders can easily switch between petrol and CNG. When CNG is selected, the compressed gas travels through high-pressure lines to a regulator that adjusts the pressure before the fuel injector sprays it into the engine. The ECU is dedicated to this system, managing whether petrol or CNG is being used.
Bajaj Freedom CNG Efficiency and Practicality
One of the primary advantages of the Bajaj Freedom 125 is its cost-effectiveness. Bajaj claims a fuel efficiency of 102km/kg in CNG mode and 65kmpl in petrol mode, theoretically providing a total range of around 330km using both tanks. However, real-world tests have shown slightly lower figures with around 85km/kg in CNG mode and approximately 55-56kmpl in petrol mode. Even with these figures, running costs are under ₹1 per kilometer when using CNG.
The CNG tank can hold up to 2 kg of compressed gas depending on pressure at refueling stations. The additional petrol tank serves as an emergency reserve until refueling with CNG becomes possible. The Freedom 125 promises to cut running costs by up to 50 percent compared to conventional petrol motorcycles.
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Bajaj Freedom CNG Price and Availability
The Bajaj Freedom 125 was initially launched at ₹95,000 (ex-showroom). Following its launch price reduction by up to ₹10,000 depending on variants means that customers can now purchase it for ₹89,997 (ex-showroom) for the base variant or ₹95,002 (ex-showroom) for mid-spec options. The top-spec version remains priced at ₹1.10 lakh (ex-showroom). Initially available only in Maharashtra with plans for broader market availability soon.
Bajaj Freedom CNG Mileage
Bajaj claims that when running on CNG alone; users can expect around 102 km/kg while petrol usage yields about 64 kmpl. This translates into an impressive range of approximately 200 km solely on CNG plus an additional distance of around 130 km on petrol reserves—totaling about 330 km combined range under ideal conditions.
Bajaj Freedom CNG Heritage and Evolution
Bajaj Auto has extensive experience with CNG technology primarily within three-wheeler markets where approximately sixty percent operate using this cleaner fuel source. The company has been developing two-wheeler models powered by compressed natural gas for some time now; earlier pilot projects involved testing Honda Activa models fitted with similar systems back in Delhi during twenty-sixteen.
The introduction of this innovative motorcycle represents significant progress within this niche market segment addressing previous challenges while providing an alternative solution against traditional gasoline-powered bikes—promoting sustainability efforts through reduced emissions as highlighted by Rajiv Bajaj who noted reductions exceeding fifty percent for carbon dioxide output alongside substantial drops across other harmful pollutants compared against gasoline vehicles.
The Bajaj Freedom 125 stands out as an exemplary motorcycle that combines affordability with eco-friendliness alongside exceptional efficiency metrics designed specifically for today’s value-conscious consumers seeking sustainable commuting options without compromising performance or safety standards—truly revolutionizing how we think about transportation solutions moving forward!