Bajaj Auto yet again raises the bar with the launch of the Bajaj Freedom 125 NG04 making it one of the most revolutionary motorcycles. This model is one of a kind as it is a dual-fuel vehicle powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and petrol at the same time. The Freedom NG04 targets budget-conscious riders who want to save on fuel bills and pollution, but still desire a comfortable ride.
With its promises for greatly slashed running costs, this bike has the potential to change the way we look at commuting in India. Apart from the pocket-friendly aspect, the Freedom NG04 also want to be go green. CNG use also lowers petro leum consumption.
For millions of laborious commuters, this bike is an ideal solution with its fuel efficiency, convenience, and eco-friendly features. In this article, we will discuss what is Bajaj Freedom NG04 the way it works, the features of the product, advantages and possible challenges and why it could be a game- changer in the two wheeler world.
What Is the Bajaj Freedom NG04
The Bajaj Freedom 125 NG04 is the world’s first ground-up CNG motorcycle from a mass market OEM. This model has been developed with full CNG factory-fitted capacity, as per Bajaj, and not that of a retrofit.
There are three versions available NG04 Disc LED, NG04 Drum LED and NG04 Drum. Bajaj Auto At the heart of the bike is a compact but strong CNG tank that is nested behind within the trellis frame for Safety and balance.
Dual Fuel System: Petrol + CNG
Among the standout features of the Freedom NG04 is the dual‑fuel system. It has a 2‑kg CNG cylinder (confined to10 inches in diameter; 12.5 litres volumetrically) with a small 2‑litre petrol tank. AutoBajajThis configuration enables the rider to toggle between CNG and petrol While Riding on the road through a handlebar switch.
CNG is cheaper than petrol so when you drive your car mainly on CNG your maintenance cost also fall down. But just in case CNG tanks gets empty or you don’t find one around, you have a petrol tank as backup. That means you are not stranded continue on petrol until you can find a CNG station. This dual‑fuel flexibility is what drives the design of the Freedom NG04.
Fuel efficient and ultra low running cost
However your question is about 60 KMPL mileage, so here are the official mileage rates which vary a bit. Bajaj claims that the Freedom NG04 gives 100 km per kilo of gas while operating on CNG.Bajaj Auto When converted to petrol, the petite 2-litre petrol tank offers stunning fuel efficiency of 65 kmpl as per Bajaj’s FAQ.
Bajaj AutoThe Freedom NG04 was affordable and thanks to these numbers it was dirt cheap to keep on the road. Operating costs Bajaj has said that the cost of running the two-wheeler can be reduced by as much as 50 per cent when compared with traditional petrol-only bikes of akin engine capacity. Bajaj Auto Translating to real world for a daily commuter, it means enormous savings every week and month.
Design, Comfort & Safety
Bajaj has been very conscious about safety in this model. The CNG cylinder is securely packaged within a trellis frame, which gives a good level of protection and adds to structural integrity. Bajaj Auto The bike features a mono-linked type rear suspension, which smoothens out the road imperfections and provides a relaxed riding experience.
Bajaj Auto The seat is generously padded and quilted, resulting in a more spacious and comfortable experience for both the rider and the pillion. Bajaj Auto For convenience, the Freedom NG04 sports an all-digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, enabling riders to receive call alerts (with caller ID), missed call notification, and battery life status.
Bajaj Auto The LED headlamp provides improved visibility during nighttime riding, making it safe to travel within the city or on the highways.Taking the CNG system safety further, the bike has also been subjected to a series of gruelling tests.The CNG tank is PESO certified, implying it adheres to rigid safety.Bajaj highlights that the frame and shielding around the tank protect it from all angles in the event of an impact.
Performance and Range
Under the bonnet, the Freedom 125 NG04 houses a 125cc air-cooled single cylinder engine. The engine develops approximately 9.5 PS at 8,000 rpm and 9.7 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm while operating on CNG. In between, the CNG mode max speed is approximately 90.5km/h and in petrol mode it is about 93.4km/h.
In terms of range, on filling up the CNG tank (2 kg) the bike takes you a long distance: The CNG range is marketed as 100 km per kg, so around 200 km on a full.Bajaj Auto.In petrol mode the 2-litre reserve yields about 130 km. BikeDekho.The combined range when both, petrol and electric, are used is said to deliver 330 km on a full tank.
Impact on the environment
With CNG, Bajaj Freedom NG04 helps to reduce toxic pollutants. Bajaj claims that CO₂ emission from the combustion of CNG is far less as compared to petrol. Improved emissions profile provides a smaller carbon footprint for routine travel.
CNG is also associated with lower non-methane hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, and thus can be considered a “cleaner” fossil fuel alternative. That makes the Freedom NG04 not only a wise pick for savings but a greener option for riders who care about the environment. For many city drivers, it’s an increasingly important consideration.
Availability and Pricing
At the time of rolling out, Bajaj is selling the Freedom NG04 in select states. Deliveries began in Maharashtra and Gujarat to begin with. Bajaj will further add more states including Delhi and Kerala as the CNG network expands. Here are the three variants available along with their ex-showroom
prices (as claimed):
- NG04 Drum: around ₹ 95,000 (before discount)
- NG04 Drum LED: ~ ₹ 1,05,000
- NG04 Disc LED: ~ ₹ 1,10,000
Bajaj also recently gave a ₹ 5,000 discount on the base NG04 Drum variant, which means the price is now effectively lower.
Market Reception and Adoption
The Freedom NG04 has been very well received since its introduction. Bajaj, also in its financial reports, stated that it had sold 10,000 units by September of its first year.The company is increasing production as well, from the initial 10,000 units per month to 40,000 units maximum permitted space expansionBiogas Adoptions have been more successful in areas where CNG station density is higher, e.g., Delhi and Kerala.
The bike has enjoyed exceed 10% penetration in the 125cc segment in these markets, indicating that it has managed to sway commuters who have access to purchasable CNG to help them cut costs. The bike has received a thumbs up from most online users and this bike can be very useful for beginners. Some have highlighted its low cost and running cost on social platforms, but there are still concerns about infrastructure and service.
Challenges and Considerations
Although it is praised for its many benefits, Freedom NG04 also has a few challenges. The biggest is CNG infrastructure although more than 7,000 CNG filling stations are available, the access is not as widespread in all cities.In the countryside, where CNG is not readily available, such riders will have little to no use of dual-fuel mode’s advantages.The other worry was the limited petrol tank. The 2-litre reserve petrol capacity is a bare minimum. Some riders feel that a more petrol in back up tank would have made it more convenient.
And there’s also the fact that you have to swap between fuels by toggling, which you need to remember to do, potentially inconvenient in heavy traffic or when you’re in a place you don’t know.There’s also the feeling that Bajaj’s stringent testing and PESO certification of the CNG cylinder notwithstanding, safety concerns remain. Some potential buyers have hesitation over how to handle filling and longevity of a CNG tank in a bike.
Further, the long- term servicing of a CNG engine may be different from a petrol-only bike. While Bajaj advises service intervals like petrol bikes (every 5,000 km), riders might be wary about the costs over the long term or possible servicing headaches.
Why Freedom NG04 Could Change Everything
Bajaj Freedom NG04: Two-wheeler technology leaps forwardSince Bajaj Noble put in a word about two years back in Pune today it is time to review its successor the Freedom NG04 and what a game changer it turned out to be.It tackles two of the biggest challenges for Indian riders: fuel cost and emissions. By combining a factory-fitted CNG system & a petrol backup, it brings together economy and flexibility in a way that was not really known before in the 125cc bike segment.
For daily commuters be they delivery riders, gig workers, or regular city travelers the prospect of slashing fuel cost by nearly 50% could add up to some solid monthly earnings. Such savings may eventually offset the slightly higher up-front cost (relative to a basic petrol bike). With CNG infrastructure expanding, the value proposition is only getting stronger.
Bajaj’s move may also push other manufacturers to explore dual-fuel or alternative-fuel two-wheelers, thereby leading the entire industry towards cleaner and more efficient solutions. As the environmental consciousness and fuel prices increase, these sorts of solutions are what the future may be made out of.