Bajaj Auto Launches World's 1st CNG Motorcycle

Bajaj Auto recently launched the world's first CNG motorcycle, aptly named the Freedom 125. Its longest-in-class seat and mono-linked type suspension offers superior comfort while the Bluetooth connectivity adds convenience.

📍 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐞

𝙇𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙’𝙨 🌏 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝘾𝙉𝙂 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙮𝙘𝙡𝙚 🏍 𝙗𝙮 𝘽𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙟 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮.

This groundbreaking innovation promises significant savings in operating costs and pollution reduction. With this eco-friendly… pic.twitter.com/TLyiLP38At

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) July 5, 2024

Below are some more key details about this innovative two-wheeler:

Fuel System: The Freedom 125 features both a 2-kilogram under-seat CNG tank and a 2-liter petrol tank. Riders can easily switch between petrol and CNG modes using a convenient switch.

Cost Savings: Bajaj claims that the Freedom 125 offers approximately 50% cost savings compared to similar petrol motorcycles due to reduced fuel expenses.

Range: On CNG alone, the motorcycle can cover about 213 kilometers (with a fuel efficiency of 105 km/kg). Additionally, it can travel an additional 117 kilometers on petrol (with a petrol efficiency of 65 km/l), resulting in an impressive overall range of up to 330 kilometers.

Safety: Despite concerns about CNG usage in motorcycles, Bajaj assures that safety is not compromised. The Freedom 125 has undergone 11 safety tests, including a demonstration where a truck passed over the bike while the CNG tank remained secure.

Design: Stylistically, the Freedom 125 adopts a modern-retro aesthetic with a round headlamp featuring a daytime running light (DRL). It also boasts the longest seat in its category, measuring 785 mm in length.

Pricing: The base variant with drum brakes is priced at ₹95,000, while the variant with drum brakes and LED headlamps costs ₹1.05 lakh. The top-end variant, equipped with disc brakes, is available at ₹1.10 lakh (all prices ex-showroom).

Initially, the Freedom 125 will be available in Maharashtra and Gujarat, with plans to expand to other states in subsequent quarters. Bajaj aims to attract customers from the 100cc to 125cc segment with this groundbreaking motorcycle

Tata Power RE and Bajaj Group's Mukand Limited Setting Up 47.3 MW Captive Solar Plant

Plant set to generate 99.82 Million Units and offset over 54,687 tons of CO2 Emissions Annually

Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a leading player in the renewable energy sector and a subsidiary of The Tata Power Company Limited, signed a Power Delivery Agreement (PDA) with Mukand Limited, a Bajaj Group company and a leading manufacturer of specialty steel long products and heavy machinery in India, for a 43.75 MW AC Group Captive Solar project. Located at Jamkhed in Maharashtra, the installation will generate 99.82 MUs annually and is expected to offset ~54687 CO2 emissions per year.

The aim of the installation is to meet the growing energy requirements of Mukand Limited, and contribute to making their steel manufacturing processes and production greener. TPREL will undertake the construction, operation, and maintenance of this group captive solar power plant.Scheduled for commissioning by March 2024, this project places a significant emphasis on adhering to stringent quality standards and specifications.

The solar power plant's primary objective is to fulfill Mukand Limited’s energy needs while promoting environment-friendly practices within their stainless-steel manufacturing operations. With this project, TPREL reinforces its commitment to empowering its partners to adopt non-conventional energy solutions.

Earlier this month, TPREL had signed a PDA with Endurance Technologies Limited, a leading auto component manufacturer founded by Anurag Jain (nephew of late Rahul Bsjaj), through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) TP Green Nature Limited, for the development of 12.5MW AC Captive Solar Plant at Aachegaon in Maharashtra. 

Commenting on the partnership Mr. Ashish Khanna, CEO, Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. said, "The installation of this group captive project is in line with our commitment to provide clean and sustainable energy solutions to our C&I consumers, especially in the energy- intensive sectors. It will help to enhance renewable energy capacity and reduce carbon emissions in the country. Through this partnership we are forging a sustainable energy path for Mukand Limited, a Bajaj Group company."

Mr. Shashibhushan Upadhyay, President, Mukand Limited, a Bajaj Group company, said, “We are thankful and acknowledge collaborative efforts between Tata Power Renewables and our organization, Mukand Limited, to harness the potential of clean and green energy by executing this strategic PPA. This partnership shall contribute to our mission of sourcing clean energy for our manufacturing operation and support us in meeting our climate change commitments.

With this addition, the total renewables capacity of TPREL reaches 7,946 MW, including 3,755 MW projects under various stages of implementation, and its operational capacity is 4,191 MW, which includes 3,185 MW solar and 1,006 MW wind.

Bajaj To Launch Electric Bike, Files for Trademark called 'Freeride' and "Bajaj Floor"

Bajaj Auto has applied for a new trademark in India for the name 'Freerider', as per the listing on the Patent Design and Trademark website of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The company had applied for the trademark on March 1, 2021 and it has already been approved by June 21. There is no concrete information about where the company will use the newly registered trademark. According to the information, the company can use this new name in its upcoming electric bike.

According to few media reports, Freerider is expected to use the same electric powertrain as that of Husqvarna E-Pilen concept. E-Pilen is equipped with an 8kW (10.73 bhp) electric motor. Details about power output are yet to be revealed. The motorcycle will have a range of around 100 km, which should be sufficient for city needs. To take care of range anxiety, E-Pilen will be equipped with swappable batteries. It is apparent that the company will be focusing on developing the necessary infrastructure to sustain its electric two wheelers.

E-Pilen Concept [Image - husqvarna-motorcycles.com]

Bajaj Freerider may hit the markets sooner than expected. That’s because Bajaj has been collaborating with KTM, whose parent company is same as of E-Pilen, for developing a common electric platform. It is expected to spawn multiple electric two wheelers in the range of 3kW to 10kW. Most of these will be using a 48v electric system.

Bajaj has also filed a trademark in the name of Bajaj Floor and Bajaj Floor in India a few months back. According to the reports, the company will also use these names in its electric two wheeler. The company has registered this new trademark under the two wheeler, motorcycle, scooter, three wheeler and four wheeler listing in the description box in the patent document. According to which it is being speculated that the company will use this new name only for its electric scooter or bike.

Bajaj's line-up of electric vehicles currently includes the company's electric scooter Chetak. The scooter has been a huge hit in the Indian market, but due to reasons like limited production capacity and availability, it is facing a shortage. Recently, after some amendments made in the FAME-2 policy of the Government of India, there has been a decline in the prices of domestic electric vehicles. Under which the government is now giving more subsidy on domestic electric two wheelers.

The earlier subsidy on domestic electric vehicles was Rs 10,000 per kWh, which the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) has now increased to Rs 15,000 per KWh after the Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Manufacturing (FAME II) amendment. After the arrival of this policy of the government, Bajaj's electric two wheeler segment can see a boom. But it is too early to comment on any kind of timeline.