CNG vs Electric: Which New Car to Buy

The increasing prices of fuel have pushed customers to think of alternative options. This eventually is leading to an increase in the sales of CNG and electric cars. However, selecting the wrong type of vehicle can have a negative impact on the environment and your pockets as well. Thus, it is necessary to understand the pros and cons of using CNG and electric cars. Have a look at the following details to know which would be the most suitable new car for you to buy.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Cars

CNG is an environmental-friendly fuel alternative to diesel and petrol. In addition, CNG-powered vehicles have received tremendous attention from Indian customers to which the automakers have also responded with more models and variants. However, there are a few things one should take into consideration while investing in a new CNG car.

Pros of CNG Vehicle

The positive aspects of buying a CNG car is that these have lesser running costs and require low maintenance. In addition, the cars running on CNG are cleaner in comparison to the diesel or petrol engine options.

Cons of a CNG Vehicle

Apart from its advantages, there are some factors that can be challenging when buying a new CNG car. For instance, the cost of a factory fitted CNG car is on the higher side in comparison to a normal petrol vehicle. In case you are to convert an existing model then retrofitting a CNG kit is an expensive affair. Moreover, the CNG tanks positioned in the boot take a lot of space and do not offer any luggage capacity. Besides, the CNG cars tend to offer a bit of a lag when it comes to performance. 

A few CNG-powered car suggestions to buy would be the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Hyundai Aura, Grand i10 Nios, Maruti Suzuki XL6, Tata Tiago iCNG, Baleno, and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.

Read Also: Tata Tiago i-CNG and Maruti Celerio S-CNG

Electric Cars (EVs)

The concept of Electric Vehicles (EVs) has also received a great response from customers. All the EVs are offered with motors paired with a powerful battery pack that make the vehicle a good option to buy. But there are also some negative aspects of having an electric car. Let’s take a look at its pros and cons:

Pros of an Electric Car

Electric vehicles are pretty efficient and have zero emissions which makes them a better alternative than CNG, petrol, and diesel options. EVs don't even make engine noises like internal combustion-based vehicles. In addition, you don't need to stop at every gas station as these EVs can travel much further on one single charge (depending on the efficiency of the EV). Another big advantage of buying an electric car is that the government offers tax benefits under the 80EEB section so the customers get encouraged to purchase more EVs and control pollution levels.

Cons of an Electric Car

The downside of buying an electric vehicle is that it is too expensive due to the high cost of powerful batteries. In addition, electric cars require frequent charging as compared to the fuel option. Also, if you are planning to travel a long distance using an EV, this might not be a suitable option as it can be difficult to find a charging station.

Here are some best EV options to buy: Tata Nexon EV, Hyundai Kona EV, MG ZS EV, Toyota Innova Hycross, BMW iX, Audi e:tron, and Mercedes EQS.

Read Also: Things to Consider Before Buying an Electric Car

Which one is better to buy?

The answer to whether you should buy a new CNG or electric car totally depends on your requirements. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option and driving performance is not the top priority then CNG would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer high-efficient cars and are comfortable spending a hefty amount then going for an electric car would be the ideal choice for you.

Hope these details helped you to understand which car is good for you to buy.