Electric Vehicles vs CNG Cars: A Practical Buying Guide for India13 January 2026
Stood outside the car showroom today, one is confronted with a serious automotive conundrum. Petrol prices are over ₹105 per liter, and the EV versus CNG debate is now the most pertinent consideration for Indian car buyers. Do you shell out cash for the relatively untested electric technology or stick to the established and trusted CNG option?
Why Indian Buyers Are Confused Between CNG and Electric Cars
The automotive industry has dramatically changed. Over 6,200 CNG fueling stations, for instance, operate in India, and the number of EV charging points is increasing exponentially. There is a real confusion in this scenario because CNG, as well as EV, offers considerable cost savings, but they cater to different consumer groups.
Around 1 lakh units of EVs are being sold every year, and the sale of four-wheeler CNG vehicles has seen a steep increase from 1.8 to 4.8 lakh units. One of the most asked questions in the market is whether the higher purchase cost of electric vehicles would be justified by the long-term benefits or if the comparison between the two would be in favor of the cheaper CNG option.
CNG became popular during the early 2000s when the judiciary forced the use of clean fuels for public transportation. This brought about a wide refueling infrastructure and public knowledge of the same. Electric cars embody new technology and, with recent advancements in batteries and increased incentives, the pace of uptake has been phenomenal.
Mijoautogas, supplying quality CNG conversion kits to over 17 countries through 1,000+ dealers, has made CNG installations reliable and widely available. For those considering CNG, choosing to buy authorized CNG kit from ISO-certified manufacturers ensures optimal safety and efficiency.
Real-World Price Comparison: What You Actually Pay
The entry-level models available in the CNG variant are priced between ₹6-12 lakhs, including the likes of Maruti WagonR CNG at ₹6.5-7.5 lakh, Hyundai Aura CNG at ₹7.5-9 lacs, and the Tata Tiago CNG at ₹6.5
Electric vehicles cost much higher. Tata Nexon EV has a starting price of over ₹14 lakh as opposed to ₹7.5 lacs for the CNG model, which is practically doubled. Budget-friendly electric vehicles like Tiago EV range around ₹8.5 lacs. MG Comet EV costs ₹7.5 lacs. Top-level vehicles cost between ₹14 and ₹28 lacs.
The price difference between CNG and an electric car has been the most prominent entry point for switching to an EV. However, understanding dynamics on CNG vs electric car cost per running distance helps relate how EVs might start bearing premiums: CNG cost per running distance: ₹2.91 per kilometer, home charging: ₹1.28 per kilometer, and EV fast charging: ₹3.40 per kilometer.
The price of CNG varies from ₹76 to ₹96 per kilogram. Delhi gets the benefit of ₹76/kg, while in Mumbai the price is ₹77-79/kg, Bengaluru at ₹89/kg, and Hyderabad at ₹96/kg. The average mileage
For electric vehicles, the tariff for charging would range from ₹6-10 per unit for domestic charging,
Breaking Down the Break-Even Analysis
To recover the ₹3-4 lakh premium over CNG variants with home-charged Tiago EV:
1,000 km every month: It takes 10 years.
2,000 km monthly: Breaks even in 5 years
3,000 km monthly: Breaks even in 3.5 years
(For 1,500 km of driving a month: CNG costs ₹ 4,365, EV home charging costs ₹ 1,920, EV public charging costs ₹ 5,100.) Home-charged EVs emerge as clear winners for high mileage users, promising savings of ₹ 24,000-36,000 a year.
Your driving profile argues the economic equation between the CNG car and an electric car. CNG offers immediate affordability, while EVs require patience and predominantly home charging. For the commercial operator, the trusted CNG kit installations from Mijoautogas holder of ISO 9001:2015, ECE R110, and ISO 15500 certifications provide reliable cost-effective solutions.
Infrastructure Reality: Convenience in Daily Life
India has more than 6,200 CNG stations, aiming for 18,000 in 2030. Large cities have extensive support, but in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, support is limited. Before investing in a CNG system, explore the fuel station in India networks available for your routes. The best CNG kit in India is of no benefit without refueling stations in your reach.
Charging Infrastructure: This is the fastest-growing sector of EVs. There are more than 6,000 charging points that must be installed by 2025. However, there are about 1,800 to 2,000 charging points as of now. Home charging: This completely alters EVs. EVs can charge themselves overnight,
This marks the fundamental difference between the infrastructure of CNG vs EV, because while CNG needs visits to the gas station irrespective, the convenience level with EV is unparalleled with the ability to charge the car at home.
Performance, Practicality, and Driving Experience
The electric powertrain provides immediate torque, ensuring smooth and noise-free acceleration. The Nexon EV accelerates from 0-60km/h in just 4.6 seconds, quicker than the CNG versions. The added feature in the Nexon EV is the one-ped
CNG vehicles suffer from performance issues around 10% power reduction incurs issues related to overtaking. The space in the boot reduced for the storage of cylinders (150-200L) curtails carrying capacity. Refueling queues range between 15-30 minutes.
There would be no complications for the cargo compromise since the battery packs would be positioned under the floor of the car. The cost-benefit analysis for the family car, be it a CNG car or an electric car, would overwhelmingly end up on the convenience side.
Real-World Efficiency: What Mileage You Actually Get
By mode of operation:
Small hatchbacks: 26-30
Sedan compactos: 24-
Compact Sport Utility Vehicles: 20 –
The best available CNG kit in India from Mijoautogas, the holder of the Excellence in Clean Fuel Technology Award, ensures maximum fuel efficiency. Low-quality kits cut down the mileage by 10-15%.
EV Efficiency:
City: 10 to12 km/k
Highway: 7-9
Mixed conditions: 8.5
CNG Car:
Maruti Wagon R CNG has the highest mileage of 34-35 km per kg of CNG consumption (with a price of ₹2.2-2.)
Environmental Impact: Understanding the Green Reality
CNG emits about 25% less CO₂ than does petrol with fewer harmful pollutants. Nonetheless, it is a fossil fuel that contributes to greenhouse gases.
Electric cars have zero tailpipe emissions, which is critical to urban air quality. The source of generation of electricity matters, though: if your grid is based on coal, the environmental advantage of EVs diminishes. Neither reaches perfect purity, but both are substantially improved over conventional fuels.
Maintenance Comparison: Long-Term Ownership Costs
EV maintenance is very minimal: no need to change oil and filters, and nothing much to be maintained. Costs per annum: ₹3,000-₹5,000. Software updates are done through an over-the-air update. Batteries replaced at the age of 8-10 years could possibly cost more than ₹5 lakh.
A CNG vehicle will require normal petrol car maintenance and additional maintenance required by CNG fuel. Maintenance at regular intervals will cost between ₹4,000 and ₹6,000 at every 10,000 km of driving. The re-testing of the cylinder at an interval of 3 years is compulsory and will add ₹3,500 to the maintenance.
Making Your Decision: Who Should Choose What?
prefer CNG if:
- Invest within a budget of ₹10 lakhs
- Lack of parking with electricity
- Drive moderate 1,000-1,500
- Frequent travel over long distances
- Live in areas with limited electric charging infrastructure
- Requires periodic complete boot space utilization
Choose EV if you:
- Can afford: ₹14-18 Lakhs Investment
- Parking available at home with charging points
- Drive extensively over 2,000 km each month
- Primarily operate within city limits
- Appreciate silence during startup and instantaneous torque
Conclusion: Choose Based on Your Reality
EV vs CNG is all about aligning technology with your lifestyle, finances, and driving habits. Both offer major cost-effective advantages over fuel.
Urban automobile users driving high kilometers and with the option of charging from home should consider buying electric cars, which cost more. The difference between CNG and electric cars regarding the cost of operation adds up to astonishing proportions, resulting in potential savings of ₹3 to 5 lacs over seven years
People looking to buy within budgets without availability of charging points will find the reliability of CNG coupled with easy availability more convenient. Spending on quality through purchase of authorized CNG kit sold by Mijoautogas, ISO 9001:2015, ECE R110, ISO 15500 certified, Best Manufacturer, Green Mobility Contributor Award winner, provides assured safe usage with expertise supporting 17+ countries through 1,000+ dealers.
The future of the automobile means many types of powertrains and options to be had in the same vehicle. No matter what you pick – the proven fuel efficiency and availability of gas or the state-of-the art efficiency and mileage of an electric motor – you are making an intelligent choice compared to what you get with gasoline or other conventional fuels.
