Bajaj Auto CEO reveals plans for new CNG bike, ethanol vehicles by FY25
The current efforts are part of Bajaj Auto’s broader strategy to achieve monthly sales of 100,000 clean energy vehicles by the festive season.
India’s top two-wheeler brand Bajaj Auto is gearing up to launch several new clean energy vehicles. CEO Rajiv Bajaj revealed that his company will introduce another CNG motorcycle in near future. This will follow the recent debut of the Freedom 125, the world’s first CNG-powered motorcycle.
Next month, Bajaj Auto plans to unveil ethanol-powered motorcycles and three-wheelers, with launches scheduled for FY25. The company is also set to introduce both affordable and premium electric scooters in FY25, with a new Chetak platform expected to debut early next year.
When discussing electric motorcycles, Bajaj noted the advantage that motorcycles had over scooters in the ICE format is now gone with EVs. He said that scooters in the electric format hold far more potential.
As per reports, these efforts are part of Bajaj Auto’s broader strategy to achieve monthly sales of 100,000 clean energy vehicles by the festive season. Bajaj highlighted the company’s progress, stating, The company claims to be on the verge of reaching monthly sales and production of 100,000 clean energy vehicles by this festive season.
The Freedom 125, equipped with a 2 kg CNG cylinder and a 2-litre petrol tank, offers a range of up to 330 km and has already seen 2,000 units dispatched. Bajaj Auto wants to scale up the production as it wants to deliver 8,000-9,000 Freedom 125 CNG bikes in August, and by January, it will reach 40,000 CNG motorcycles per month.
The company will also launch an e-rickshaw in the next financial year. Bajaj Auto is advocating for a reduction in GST on CNG motorcycles. The CEO held that if electric vehicles can be taxed at 5%, there’s no reason why a vehicle powered by a relatively cleaner fuel like CNG should be taxed at 28%.
Rajiv Bajaj has revealed that the company’s electric vehicle (EV) business is already profitable and Bajaj Auto has become profitable with the portfolio of electric vehicle. The company currently holds an 18% market share in the electric two-wheeler segment, with its Chetak scooter competing closely with TVS Motors’ iQube.
