Ramesh had ridden the same petrol bike for years. Every morning, he would stop at the fuel station, watch the bhaiyya feed in the amount and wait. He would check the latest news about when the petrol price would go down and sigh. But one day, he heard a rumour that Bajaj was making a bike that didn’t go on just petrol. A bike that ran on CNG.
No one in his street had seen such a thing. “Will it be slow?” asked his neighbour. “Will it be cheaper to run?” wondered the tea seller. Ramesh only smiled. He liked the sound of a ride that promised smaller fuel bills and cleaner air.
In 2025, that rumor becomes real. A new Bajaj CNG bike is ready to roll out, and it might just change how we travel. What’s the price? How far can it go on one tank? And what’s hiding in its list of features? The story and the answers are waiting below.
What is the Bajaj CNG Bike?
Let me tell you what makes this bike interesting. The Bajaj Freedom CNG is exactly how it sounds i.e., a motorcycle that runs on both compressed natural gas (CNG) and petrol. Remember that it’s not an add-on kit; you are looking at a fully integrated, factory-fitted CNG system with a 12.5-litre (about 2 kg) cylinder. It is actually the world’s first CNG motorcycle, built from the ground up with safety checks, crash tests, and PESO certification for that tank.
Source: Bikewale
And there’s a switch right on your handlebar to toggle between CNG and petrol while you ride. CNG is budget-friendly and it slashes your running cost nearly in half. Plus, with the 2-litre petrol reserve tank, you get a combined range of about 330 km: roughly 200 km on CNG, 130 km on petrol.
The seat is long and comfy, the mono-link suspension smooths out bumpy paths, and the digital LCD cluster (some variants even have Bluetooth) keeps you well-informed.
Bajaj Freedom CNG: Latest Updates
Here’s what is new and worth noting:
Bajaj recently dropped the price on the base NG04 Drum variant by Rs. 5,000 for a limited time. So, it now starts at about Rs. 85,976 (ex-showroom) instead of Rs. 90,976. The Drum LED and Disc LED variants remain at Rs. 95,981 and around Rs. 1.11 lakh, respectively.
Sales are going strong. Remember that bike that appeared in the Republic Day parade? Yeah, that was this one. Bajaj sold 5,000 units in just two months. It began in Gujarat and Maharashtra but soon expanded across 77 cities due to its high demand. And the word is Bajaj may add more variants down the road, even a 150 cc CNG model.
Bajaj Freedom Price
Here’s a table laying out the variants and their ex-showroom prices (Delhi), including the current discount on the base model:
Variant
|
Ex-Showroom Price (Rs. )
|
Notes
|
NG04 Drum
|
85,976 (discounted)
|
Base model, drum brakes, no LED
|
NG04 Drum LED
|
95,981
|
Adds LED headlamp
|
NG04 Disc LED
|
1,10,976
|
Disc brakes, LED, premium features
|
These are the most current prices, reflective of that limited-time offer on the base variant.
Key Specifications & Features of the Bajaj Freedom CNG
Let’s see what this bike brings to the road:
- Fuel Setup
It runs on CNG and petrol. There is a 2 kg CNG tank tucked neatly under the seat, and a compact 2-litre petrol tank up front that steps in when you're running low. Together, they give around 330 km of range. Bajaj claims about 200 km on CNG and another 130 km with petrol.
- Engine and Ride Feel
It uses a 125-cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, with 9.5 PS at 8,000 rpm and 9.7 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. You shift through a 5-speed gearbox.
- Frame and Suspension
There's a trellis frame that cages the CNG tank safely. Up front, telescopic forks; at the back, a linked mono-shock. Gives comfort and handles city roads well.
- Brakes
Drum brakes on the base models, combined braking system (CBS) at the rear. The top variant gets a front disc of 240 mm.
- Instrument Console
Digital LCD, reverse-lit for clarity. The top trim even has Bluetooth, SMS and call alerts. There is also a USB charging port.
- Fuel Switching
You can flick a switch on the fly to toggle between CNG and petrol.
- Eco Side
It lowers running costs by up to 50%, compared to regular petrol bikes. And it also cuts down CO2, non-methane hydrocarbons and other emissions.
Bajaj Freedom CNG Colours
The Freedom CNG comes in five eye-catching shades. You can select from:
- Racing Red
- Cyber White
- Ebony Black
- Pewter Grey
- Caribbean Blue
Safety of the Bajaj Freedom CNG
Safety is clearly not an afterthought here. This is because Bajaj put the bike through 11 grueling tests, including front, rear, and side impacts, pendulum hits, drop tests, valve tests, pull-out resistance, and even a 50 kg fill unit strength check.
There were two headline tests too: the front collision test at 60 km/h against a 1.5-tonne barrier, and a 10-tonne truck run-over test and the CNG tank stayed intact. The frame doubles up as a protective cage for that tank. Plus, the engine sits away from it to reduce heat exposure. And on top of that, the CNG cylinder is certified under PESO standards.
A few buyers online voiced concerns though:
“A compressed gas tank on a bike has to be a big hazard... How safe is the CNG tank in the event of an accident?”. But, Bajaj’s way of dealing with it through testing, robust structure, and transparency does a lot to ease that worry.
Mileage & Performance of the Bajaj Freedom CNG
On CNG, you can expect about 85-105 km per kg in the city, and up to 100 km per kg on the highway. When you switch to petrol, the mileage drops to around 52.6 km/l.
Performance-wise, it’s not a speed demon. The 125-cc engine produces just 9.5 hp and 9.7 Nm of torque. So, it behaves more like a 100-cc bike. But in daily traffic, that is perfectly fine. The gearing is short in the lower gears, which helps you zip ahead at a signal without constant shifting. And on the highway, the tall fifth gear keeps things relaxed and fuel-efficient.
Pros & Cons of the Bajaj Freedom CNG
Here’s a quick look with the good and the not-so-good of the bike:
Pros
- Real-world CNG mileage can hit 100 km/kg, which means running costs around Rs. 0.84 per km. On petrol, you’re looking at about Rs. 1.50-1.60/km.
- Dual fuel is a smart move. The CNG mode slashes fuel bills, and petrol keeps you rolling when CNG stations aren't around.
Cons
- Performance is modest while some might wish for quicker acceleration on open roads.
- Filling up CNG takes time, especially if there is a queue or limited availability.
- The small 2-litre petrol reserve is handy, but won’t carry you far if CNG runs out.
Keep in mind these trade-offs depend a lot on your daily route and how many CNG pumps you can reach easily.
Comparison with Petrol Bikes: Running Cost, Performance, Resale Value
The real edge here lies in the running cost. If you ride mostly in cities like Pune, the Freedom’s cost drops to Rs. 0.84/km on CNG, while petrol bikes hover around Rs. 1.50-1.60/km. That is almost half the expense every time you hit the road. And out on the highway, the Freedom slows a bit, while standard 125 cc petrol bikes often feel more sprightly and reach higher top speeds.
As for resale, CNG bikes are still uncommon. That could mean lower resale value down the line. On the flip side, early adopters of unique tech usually draw some interest. It can go either way, depending on how CNG infrastructure evolves and how market tastes shift.
Importance of Bike Insurance for the Bajaj Freedom CNG
Here, you don’t want to skip bike insurance. It is not just because insurance is mandatory by law, but because this bike isn’t just pricey upfront, it also carries a unique fuel system. A good, comprehensive plan can cover damage, theft, fire, third-party liabilities, and more. So, it's good to choose an insurer who understands the tech and handles such claims smoothly. That way, you won’t get stuck in a fog of confusion if something happens.
Two-Wheeler Insurance Cost for the Bajaj Freedom CNG
Rates vary, of course, but the Freedom falls into the 100-125 cc category. A third-party-only policy covers legal requirements, usually just a few hundred rupees a year. If you would rather get more peace of mind, a comprehensive policy might cost a few thousand rupees annually, depending on add-ons like zero depreciation, roadside assistance, or return-to-invoice.
How to Buy Bajaj Freedom CNG Insurance Online via SMC Insurance?
Here’s how simple the process can be:
- Visit the SMC Insurance website and choose two-wheeler insurance.
- Enter your bike’s registration number and model.
- Pick the type of coverage: third-party or comprehensive and include any add-ons you want.
- Upload basic KYC documents like ID and address proof.
- Pay the premium online.
- You will get a PDF policy almost instantly.
That’s it. Fast, easy, and gives you that mental space to enjoy the ride instead of worry.
Ride Smart. Insure Smarter.
Find the best bike insurance in seconds
at SMC insurance
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Wrapping Up
The Bajaj Freedom CNG is a reminder that innovation isn’t always about adding more power or gadgets. Sometimes, it’s about rethinking the basics like how we fuel up every day. By pairing CNG with petrol in one neat package, Bajaj has created something practical and still pleasant to ride. For many, it could become the everyday partner that simply works day in and day out, without making a fuss. And in the long run, that might be its biggest strength.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended solely for general informational purposes. Prices, on-road costs, and insurance premiums may vary depending on the city, state regulations, dealer charges, and insurer terms. Before making any purchase or insurance decision, we strongly recommend checking the latest details directly with authorized dealers, regional RTOs, and licensed insurance providers.