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Two months since Bajaj launched the world’s first CNG-powered motorcycle on July 5, the Freedom 125 has crossed retail sales of over 5,000 units. As per Vahan data (as of September 5, 7am), cumulative sales are 5,018 units, with 276 units in the last two weeks of July, 4,109 units in August and 637 units in the first four days of September.
- Deliveries began on July 18
- Availability being increased in a phased manner
Sales in the first few weeks after launch were in three digits because the new product was launched in just two states – Maharashtra and Gujarat, which have strong CNG-filling infrastructure – but have picked up after August 15 when the company expanded the Freedom 125’s availability to 77 towns and cities across India, including Delhi and Kerala. This includes Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns where the CNG filling infrastructure is gradually growing.
Deliveries of the Freedom 125 to customers began from July 18 in Maharashtra and Gujarat. A Pune-based customer was the first to get delivery, by which time Bajaj Auto had received over 30,000 enquiries from across India for the pocket-friendly motorcycle.
The company is banking on the speedy expansion of the CNG-filling infrastructure across the country, currently estimated to be at around 7,000 stations and expected to more than double to over 13,000 stations over the next couple of years. According to Rakesh Sharma, executive director of Bajaj Auto, CNG is available in 335 towns out of the top 500 in India, and these towns account for 70 percent of the addressable market.
Given the growing demand for the Freedom, Bajaj is ramping up production from 10,000 units in the first 2-3 months to around 30,000-40,000 units by the end of FY2025, possibly even by January 2025.
Bajaj Auto claims the Freedom 125 lowers operating costs by up to 50 percent when compared to similar ICE motorcycles, which translates into a very wallet-friendly Rs 1 per kilometre claim. The CNG tank provides a range of over 200 kilometres on just 2kg of CNG. Additionally, the bike’s 2-litre petrol tank acts as a range extender, offering over 130km of range in the event of the CNG tank emptying out.
This dual-fuel capability gives the rider a claimed combined range of 330km. In our tests, we managed 94km/kg in the city and 126km/kg on the highway while running on CNG. Meanwhile, the fuel efficiency when running on petrol was predictably lower – 53.4kpl in the city and 62.37kpl on the highway. On the emissions front, compared to petrol-engined bikes, the Freedom 125 is claimed to emit 26.7 percent less CO2, 85 percent lower NMHC’s (non-methane hydrocarbons) and 43 percent less NOx (nitrogen oxide). High on safety, the Freedom 125 has successfully passed 11 rigorous safety tests, including impact tests, as well as a truck-run-over test.
Bajaj will be looking to capitalise on demand for the Freedom 125 in the festive season with Ganesh Chaturthi on September 7, Onam on September 15, Dussehra on October 12 and November opening with Diwali.
The potential for the Bajaj Freedom 125, which promises to be a game-changer with its innovative technology and offering a new paradigm for affordable two-wheeled motoring, is huge in India. In July 2024, the 100-125cc segment saw wholesales of 6,31,566 motorcycles or 74 percent of the total 8,50,489 bikes despatched to dealers in the country.
Also See:
Bajaj Freedom 125 review: Freedom of choice
Bajaj Freedom 125 real world fuel economy tested, explained
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