Bajaj Freedom 125: The Game-Changing CNG-Powered Two-Wheeler

Bajaj Auto has rolled out the world's first CNG-powered motorcycle, the Bajaj Freedom 125. The bike has already sold more than 5,000 units within two months of its introduction on July 5, 2024. With its economy-friendly running and good fuel economy, the Freedom 125 is setting new benchmarks for affordable commutation in the country.

Milestones of sale performance

Although it was available in just two states, Maharashtra and Gujarat, in the initial stages, the Bajaj Freedom 125 received rapid attention in the marketplace:

• 276 units sold in July (partial month - sales started from July 18)
• 4,109 units sold in August, the first full month of availability
• 637 units sold in the first four days of September

Sales started increasing after the availability of the motorcycle was expanded to 77 towns and cities in the country, including Delhi and Kerala. With this wider distribution, the Freedom 125 could reach more and more markets boasting increasing infrastructure for CNG filling-especially Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns.

Innovative technology and mileage

A major highlight of the Bajaj Freedom 125 is that it gets dual-fuel functionality, letting the motorcycle run on CNG and Petrol. In fact, this makes it among the most economical options to consider for daily travel. Following are some key highlights of the motorcycle:

• Over 200km on 2kg of CNG
• Additional range of 130km on Petrol
• Combined claimed range of 330km

The real-world tests returned 94km/kg on CNG in city conditions and 126km/kg on highways for the Freedom 125. Running on petrol, it returned 53.4kpl in the city and 62.37kpl on highways. These numbers account for the Freedom 125 as a perfect companion for those who travel long distances, thus making it economical in a way.

Environmental benefits

Along with the economic advantages, the Bajaj Freedom 125 proves to be an environmentally-friendly motorcycle. According to the company, Bajaj Auto, this motorcycle emits significantly less emissions when aligned against conventionally petrol-run bikes:

• 26.7% less Carbon Dioxide
• 85% lower Non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs)
• 43% less nitrogen oxide (NOx)

This is, therefore, a great option for the environmentally-sensitive riders looking to trim their 'carbon footprint'. 

Safety and features

Bajaj Auto has attempted to make the Freedom 125 conform to severe safety tests. The bike has been through 11 such safety tests, which include impact and truck run-over tests.

For rider comfort and convenience, the Freedom 125 possesses: 

• Mono-linked type suspension 
• Long seat with comfortable design for long rides 
• LED headlamp for better visibility
•  Digital speedometer display 
• Bluetooth connectivity 

Price and variants 

The three variants of the Bajaj Freedom 125 are as follows:

1. NG04 Drum: ₹ 94,995 (ex-showroom Delhi)
2. NG04 Drum LED: ₹ 1,04,998
3. NG04 Disc LED: ₹ 1,09,997

The 125cc motor puts out 9.5PS and 9.7Nm of twist which again is quite adequate to ride inside the concrete jungles as well as in rural areas.

Where does the future lie

The company is gearing up to scale up production of the model with an increasing demand for the Freedom 125. Production will increase up from 10,000 units in the first couple of months to 30,000-40,000 units by the end of FY2025. Besides this, Bajaj is also counting on the expanding network of CNG stations across the country. The CNG stations will increase from the current 7,000 to over 13,000 in a few years.

Also Read: A Sneak Peek into the Upcoming New Hero Destini 125 XTEC

Conclusion

The Bajaj Freedom 125 is not a motorcycle; it's a blessing in disguise for cheap and eco-friendly travel. With the combination of affordability, fuel efficiency, and eco-friendliness, the Freedom 125 is all geared up to be one of the most liked two-wheelers in India. And this impact will only grow well in the Indian commuter landscape, with Bajaj continuing to expand in the availability and production of this bike.

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