One in Three Marutis Sold Are Now CNG: What the Numbers Really Say
Maruti Suzuki, India’s top-selling carmaker, has reported that over 6.12 lakh of the 18.6 lakh cars it sold in the 2024–25 financial year were factory-fitted CNG models. That’s more than 33 percent of its total domestic passenger vehicle sales, making CNG one of the fastest-growing fuel types in the company’s portfolio.
This marks a sharp increase from FY2023, when CNG volumes were around 4.8 lakh units. The year-on-year growth of over 27 percent in CNG car sales is largely driven by rising fuel costs, wider availability of filling stations, and buyer preference for lower running costs. With petrol prices hovering around ₹100 per litre in many cities and CNG costing ₹70–75 per kg, the cost per kilometre for CNG cars works out significantly cheaper.
Maruti currently offers 14 CNG models, ranging from the entry-level Alto K10 to the premium Brezza and Ertiga. Models like the WagonR, Swift, Dzire, and Celerio have consistently topped sales charts in their CNG avatars. The WagonR CNG, for example, alone contributed nearly 1.2 lakh units in FY2025, making it the best-selling CNG model in India.
A key reason behind Maruti’s CNG success is that it doesn’t limit the technology to base trims. Buyers can opt for mid- and high-spec variants with infotainment systems, dual airbags, rear defoggers, and steering-mounted controls. This allows customers to enjoy fuel savings without sacrificing convenience or comfort.
Fleet operators, ride-hailing drivers, and small business owners have also contributed to the numbers. The Tour S and Tour H3, both CNG-based fleet variants of the Dzire and WagonR, saw strong demand in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad. Maruti’s commercial CNG portfolio grew over 30 percent year-on-year, driven by low operating costs and high fuel efficiency.
Boot space, often a concern with CNG models due to the cylinder placement, hasn’t slowed demand much. Buyers seem willing to trade a bit of luggage capacity for monthly fuel savings that can reach ₹4,000–₹6,000 for daily users. In fact, the Ertiga CNG, despite having limited boot space with all rows up, sold over 65,000 units last year.
Infrastructure growth has played its part too. India now has over 6,200 CNG stations, compared to just around 2,500 five years ago. While Delhi NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh remain strongholds, new pumps are coming up in eastern and southern states as well, helping buyers make the shift even in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Compared to electric vehicles, CNG still wins on purchase price and running familiarity. While EVs are growing rapidly, most electric cars in the market cost above ₹8.5 lakh, whereas Maruti’s CNG range starts under ₹6 lakh. There’s also no need to wait for charging infrastructure or worry about range, making CNG a safer bet for daily city users.
The only drawbacks remain lower engine power on CNG, especially when climbing hills or carrying full loads, and longer refuelling times at busy pumps. However, Maruti has addressed reliability concerns with factory-integrated systems, extended warranties, and service networks trained specifically for dual-fuel maintenance.
Looking ahead, Maruti is likely to add CNG options to more models in the Nexa range. A CNG version of the Fronx is rumoured to launch soon, and there’s growing talk about a CNG-powered XL6 variant aimed at fleet buyers and large families.
With the first Maruti EV still some months away from launch, the company is counting on CNG to maintain its fuel-efficiency edge and cost-leadership in the interim. The formula is clearly working. One in every three Marutis now runs on CNG, and if infrastructure keeps expanding, that number could soon become one in two.