Low-cost CNG kits in the offing

Rajkot-based diesel engine manufacturer, Fieldmarshal Group, has developed a CNG engine fitment specifically for diesel rickshaws, which will halve the cost of conversion from diesel to CNG for auto rickshaw owners.

This is the first time in the country where diesel three-wheelers are being converted into CNG using an upgraded fitment of 8 horsepower. By fitting this engine, three-wheeler owners will now be able to complete the conversion for Rs 35,000-40,000, instead of buying a new CNG vehicle that would cost a little over Rs 1 lakh. There are over 60,000 diesel three-wheelers in Gujarat, of which more than half ply on the roads of Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Bharuch and Rajkot.

"With CNG outlets seeing an increase in most of these cities, diesel three-wheeler owners are more than willing to shift to CNG as they are more viable than diesel at present and even in the long run," said Shriharsha Jogalekar, president of Fieldmarshal Group.

The company has been working on the technology for the last two years and will soon start assembling the converted vehicles from the service centres of its group company Panchnath Auto. Close to 500-700 engines will be manufactured at the company's plant in Rajkot.

For a diesel three-wheeler owner, the economics to shift to CNG makes sense. At Rs 38 for a litre, a diesel three-wheeler owner can travel up to 35 km where the high maintenance cost for the diesel vehicle is not included. Whereas, even at the latest hiked prices, one kg of CNG is available for Rs 29 where the mileage can go up to 32 km without additional maintenance cost.