Petrol V/S CNG Used Cars: Which One Should You Choose?

1. Price values

In the increasing order of price,

a.   CNG – Rs. 40.61 per kg

b.   Diesel – Rs. 70.26 per litre

c.   Petrol – Rs. 78.57 per litre

CNG being the cheapest of all the three goes easy on your pockets but only in the long run. When it comes to CNG vs petrol, CNG wins the race.  CNG is expanded as compressed natural gas which remains clear, odourless and non-corrosive. Diesel has been widely used all over the country, equal to petrol and gives better mileage than CNG. Petrol is the most expensive option, which offers the best driving experience and can be the ideal choice for occasional drivers. This pointer should not be missed if you are looking for CNG vs petrol engine life.

2. Short term or long term?

Although diesel and CNG are cheaper diesel cars and CNG cars are more expensive than petrol cars, and only, in the long run, their efficiency is unveiled. This indirectly means your investment might be more, and the time is taken for overcoming that and starting to see the benefit of fuel will be more. So, it is always advisable to go for a diesel car if you think you’re going to use your vehicle more frequently, especially for distance trips. For the solution to the question CNG vs diesel fuel efficiency here is a rough estimate of the correlation between the kilometres travelled and the fuel option that would be ideal:

a.   If you’re travelling for less than 300 – 500 km per month then petrol cars would be the best option.

b.   If your car is going to run around 1000 to 1500 km per month then CNG would be an efficient option.

c.   Finally, if your car is going to run more than 2000 km or if you’re using your vehicle to travel between two cities regularly in a month then the go-to option would be diesel cars.

For those who are buying vehicles after borrowing loans, it is essential to know once you start paying interest the time taken to clear a loan in case of diesel and CNG is higher. Also, the amount of interest you pay increases. All vehicles demand luxury and maintenance either in the short term or long term, and it is in the hand of the customer to analyse what his needs are.

3. Maintenance:

In the past diesel, car maintenance was found to be distinctly higher than that of petrol cars. This was a massive hindrance to the customers while making a decision. Later with the blooming technology, this problem gradually resolved, and now the maintenance charge is more or less the same for both the cars. CNG vehicles, on the other hand, can be very eco-friendly in both short and long term, but maintenance issues still prevail in the long run for CNG vehicles.

4. Environment friendly

This is a far fledged factor for the customers to take into account, but it is high time we start thinking about the world we live in to give our next generation a better place. Petrol resources have been lately exhausted owing to the increased usage. We need to have an alternative in mind. Increasing pollution caused due to vehicles run by petrol especially has been attributed as a significant cause of global warming and air pollution. CNG gases have turned out to be a game-changer in such crucial times. Their price has also been a favourable factor. However, there are still many fuel stations that do not offer CNG as much as petrol and diesel. Only if the availability increases the usage will also increase. The government should encourage car companies to manufacture and promote more eco-friendly options because sustainability is maximised, and the impact on both nature and mankind is minimal.

Make the Second-hand Car choice according to need: CNG Vs Petrol.

It is essential to make a list of things you are looking for in a car before you enter a showroom because, without an overview, you’ll only be left confused. Size, capacity, fuel requirements, leg space, seating comfort (hatchback or sedan) etc. are a few things that should come to your mind while choosing a car. Remember,  petrol used cars can be heavy on your pocket if you are planning to use it in the long run.

Thus, whether you are choosing between Petrol Vs CNG second-hand cars or Diesel Vs Petrol second-hand cars, consider the following factors mentioned above.