Operational cost of CNG buses 13% cheaper than diesel vehicles: Study

₹6 lakh spent for converting a diesel bus into CNG vehicle can be recovered in one month

- B ANBUSELVAN

THE trial study of government buses running on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is 12% to 13% cheaper than diesel, has yielded encouraging results, reducing average fuel expenses by ₹4 to ₹4.5 per km. Additionally, the CNG buses achieved a mileage of 6 to 6.98 km per litre compared to 5.2 to 5.96 km for diesel buses. The average price of CNG is ₹75 to ₹79 per litre, depending on the supplier, while high-speed diesel is ₹91.5 per litre.

Conducted by Pallavan Transport Consultancy Services, a technical arm of transport department, the study revealed that six buses (two each from Madurai, Salem, and Kumbakonam corporations of TNSTC) run on CNG fuel for more than 50 days are not only cost-effective but also offers better mileage compared to diesel. Moreover, it also showed that the cost of around 6 lakh to convert a bus to CNG can be recovered in a month.