What’s the Deal with Honda Activa CNG?
Honda Activa is India’s top-selling scooter, loved for its reliability and ease. While Honda hasn’t released a factory-made CNG version, companies like Lovato and others have offered aftermarket CNG kits that you can fit onto an Activa. These kits let the scooter run on both petrol and CNG, giving you a cheaper and greener fuel option. The idea picked up years ago when fuel prices started climbing, but it’s not a standard offering from Honda yet.
How Does It Work?
The aftermarket kits usually add two small CNG cylinders (about 0.6-1 kg each) under the handlebar or footboard area. A switch lets you flip between petrol and CNG. The battery and storage space might shrink a bit to fit the kit, but it’s doable. You’d fill up at a CNG station, just like a car.
- Range: Older reviews (from 2017-2021) say these kits give about 100-120 km on 1.2-2 kg of CNG.
- Mileage: Around 60-100 km per kg, depending on the kit and riding style. That’s way better than the petrol Activa’s 50 kmpl.
- Cost: Kits used to cost ₹15,000-₹24,000, plus fitting charges, on top of the scooter’s price (around ₹80,000-₹90,000 ex-showroom for current Activa models).
Why Isn’t It Official Yet?
Honda hasn’t jumped on the CNG bandwagon like Bajaj did with the Freedom 125—the world’s first CNG bike launched in 2024. Instead, Honda’s focusing on electric scooters. They’re teasing an Activa Electric for late 2025, not a CNG version. Why? CNG kits have quirks:
- They add weight (10-14 kg), making the scooter heavier upfront.
- Handling and quick turns get trickier.
- CNG stations aren’t everywhere, unlike petrol pumps.
- Safety worries linger—exposed cylinders could be risky in crashes.
Plus, aftermarket kits void Honda’s warranty, and BS6 fuel-injected Activas (post-2020) don’t play nice with older carburetor-based kits. Newer kits for BS6 models are rare or untested.
What’s Out There Now?
- Past Kits: Lovato and ITUK made ARAI-approved kits years back (2017-2018) for models like Activa 3G. Reviews from MotorOctane and BikeWale showed they cut running costs (down to ₹0.50-₹0.60 per km vs. ₹1.30 for petrol) but slowed acceleration by 5-10%.
- Current Scene: No fresh reviews or kits are widely talked about for 2025 Activas (like the 6G or 7G). Some dealers in cities like Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi might still fit them, but it’s not mainstream. Prices could be higher now—think ₹20,000-₹30,000 with inflation.
- Bajaj’s Lead: Bajaj’s factory CNG bike has sparked chatter, but Honda’s sticking to petrol and electric for now.
Is It Worth It?
If you’re in a CNG-rich city (like Delhi or Mumbai) and ride 50+ km daily, an aftermarket kit could save cash. Fuel’s cheaper—₹57-₹63 per kg vs. ₹100+ per liter for petrol. But for most, the hassle (fitting, warranty loss, refueling) might not beat the Activa’s petrol simplicity. Plus, Honda’s electric push suggests they see batteries, not CNG, as the future.
Final Take
No official Honda Activa CNG exists in 2025, but you can still get a kit fitted if you hunt local mechanics or dealers. It’s a budget hack for fuel savers, not a polished factory ride. Want one? Check Pune or Delhi workshops—places like Indelible Stay (Pune) quoted ₹24,000 in 2021. Just know it’s a DIY vibe, not a Honda seal. Curious about the electric Activa instead? That’s coming November 27, 2025!
