CNG Car Myths vs Facts: Debunking the Top 10 Misconceptions in India

Despite record sales and 8,300+ CNG stations nationwide, many Indian car buyers still hesitate. Why? Because of outdated beliefs and misinformation about safety, performance, and reliability. In 2025, the facts tell a completely different story. This article clears the fog—10 myths busted, one by one—using hard data from real sources.

🔥 Myth 1: “CNG Cars Explode Easily in Accidents”

Fact: Modern CNG vehicles are among the safest fuel types on Indian roads. Factory-fitted CNG kits must comply with Automotive Industry Standard (ISO 15500) and are tested under pressures up to 300 bar, far beyond normal operating limits (~200 bar). Each tank includes an automatic pressure relief device (PRD) that vents gas safely if temperature or pressure exceeds limits. Accident data from the Ministry of Road Transport shows no statistically higher fire incidents in OEM-CNG cars versus petrol vehicles (2024 report).

⚙️ Myth 2: “CNG Reduces Engine Life”

Fact: Engine longevity depends on maintenance, not the fuel. Factory-built CNG engines by Maruti Suzuki S-CNG, Tata Motors iCNG, and Hyundai use hardened valve seats and advanced ECU calibration for smoother combustion. With proper service intervals (oil every 10,000 km, plug replacement 15,000 km), most CNG engines easily last 1.5 – 2 lakh km—comparable to petrol.

💨 Myth 3: “CNG Cars Have Very Low Pickup”

Fact: The torque difference between modern CNG and petrol variants is under 5–10% for most small-displacement cars. Sequential injection and higher compression ratio tuning have closed the performance gap. Models like the Hyundai Exter CNG and Tata Punch iCNG deliver smooth acceleration that typical city drivers barely distinguish from petrol counterparts.

💰 Myth 4: “You Don’t Really Save That Much”

Fact: In 2025, the average CNG price- ₹82/kg vs ₹107/L for petrol. Real-world running cost = ₹3.2/km (CNG) vs ₹6.5/km (petrol). An Indian driver averaging 15,000 km/year saves around ₹49,000–₹52,000 annually. (ppac.gov.in) Even after paying ₹1 lakh extra for a CNG variant, payback is reached in 2 years or less.

🧯 Myth 5: “CNG Refuelling Is a Pain”

Fact: True—it was once. Not anymore. As of mid-2025, India has 8,340 operational CNG stations, up from 6,907 a year ago—18% annual growth. Digital tools like CNGWALA now let drivers see live queue status, nearby stations, and refill timing—solving the biggest real-world hassle.

🔋 Myth 6: “CNG Cars Can’t Go on Long Trips”

Fact: The newest generation of dual-fuel (petrol + CNG) systems allows seamless switching at highway speeds. With an average CNG range of ~250 km + petrol backup ~400 km, drivers can comfortably cover 600 km per tank cycle. Growing CNG corridors (Delhi-Jaipur, Mumbai-Surat, Lucknow-Varanasi) now ensure reliable highway access.

🧠 Myth 7: “CNG Damages the Environment Like Petrol”

Fact: CNG cuts CO₂ emissions by up to 25%, NOₓ by 70%, and particulates by 90% compared to petrol/diesel. According to IEA data, replacing 30 % of urban fleet fuel with CNG could cut India’s transport sector CO₂ output by 3.2 million tonnes annually.

🛠️ Myth 8: “Maintenance Is Complicated and Expensive”

Fact: Scheduled maintenance is slightly more frequent, but total yearly service cost remains marginally higher (~₹2,000 extra) than petrol. Most parts—filters, spark plugs, injectors—are readily available, and authorized service centers are trained on OEM CNG systems.

🚗 Myth 9: “CNG Cars Have Poor Resale Value”

Fact: In metro markets like Delhi NCR and Mumbai, CNG variants now resell 10–15% faster than petrol models. Because running cost is low and demand high, resale perception has flipped in CNG’s favor. Used-car platforms like Spinny and Cars24 report stronger price retention for factory-fitted CNG cars in 2025.

🔮 Myth 10: “CNG Is a Temporary Trend”

Fact: Far from it. CNG is expanding into bio-CNG and hydrogen-CNG (HCNG) blends. PNGRB has already notified a 1% mandatory bio-CNG blend in FY 2025-26, targeting 5% by FY 2028-29. India’s clean-mobility future will run partly on molecules, not just electrons—and CNG is that molecule bridge.

Believing that “CNG cars are unsafe, slow, or short-lived” is like believing smartphones can’t take good photos. The technology, safety standards, and infrastructure have evolved far beyond the myths. A well-maintained CNG car offers the ideal balance of affordability, efficiency, and eco-responsibility for India’s present—and its cleaner future.