Tata Motors just pulled off something nobody saw coming – their CNG vehicle sales hit 1,39,460 units in FY25, actually beating the combined numbers of their electric and diesel cars. Yeah, you read that right.
This is pretty wild when you think about it. CNG used to be that thing only cab drivers cared about, right? But now it’s quietly becoming the people’s choice while everyone’s been busy arguing about EVs versus everything else. The numbers don’t lie – and they’re telling a story that’s got the entire auto industry scratching their heads.
The CNG Revolution Takes Center Stage
Here’s the kicker – across all manufacturers in India, CNG vehicles grabbed second place with 8,38,546 units sold, making up 19.4% of total passenger vehicle sales. And get this: for the first time ever, CNG passenger vehicles outsold diesel cars nationally. We’re talking 7,87,724 CNG units versus 7,36,508 diesel vehicles.
This isn’t some boardroom strategy playing out in spreadsheets. Walk into any showroom today, and you’ll see families doing the math on fuel costs, wincing at petrol prices, and suddenly CNG doesn’t look like such a compromise anymore. It’s become the sensible choice that actually makes sense.
Tata’s Strategic Win
Tata didn’t just stumble into this success – they saw it coming and doubled down hard. Their CNG sales more than doubled from around 91,000 units in FY24 to 1,39,460 units in FY25. That’s the kind of growth that makes investors very, very happy.
What’s their secret weapon? That twin-cylinder CNG tech they’ve been pushing across the Punch, Altroz, Tiago, and Tigor. Remember those old CNG cars where you’d lose half your boot space to a massive cylinder? Tata figured out how to use two smaller cylinders tucked neatly under a raised boot floor. Smart engineering that actually solves real problems.
Read Also: Tata And MG EVs Dominate Electric Car Sales Charts In FY2025
Market Dynamics Shifting Gears
Now here’s where things get really interesting. While Tata’s CNG sales are going through the roof, their EV sales actually dropped 13% to 64,276 units in FY25. They’re still the EV kings in India, but this tells you something about what regular people actually want versus what the headlines keep pushing.
The infrastructure story is huge too. With nearly 8,000 CNG stations scattered across the country, we’ve hit that sweet spot where you’re not constantly worried about finding a place to fill up. It’s not like the early EV days where charging anxiety was real.
What This Means for Car Buyers
If you’re shopping for a car right now, this trend is telling you a few things that matter:
- Your wallet will thank you: CNG typically cuts your fuel bills by 30-40% compared to petrol – and that adds up fast
- More choices coming: Every manufacturer is scrambling to get CNG variants out there
- The tech has gotten good: No more sluggish performance or boot space nightmares
It’s also about being realistic. Sure, EVs are the future and all that, but CNG gives you cleaner air than petrol without the sticker shock or charging hassles. Sometimes the middle path makes the most sense.
Looking Ahead
Tata’s CNG story isn’t just about one company having a good year. It’s showing us how Indians actually buy cars – we’re practical, we count every rupee, and we care about the environment, but not if it breaks the bank.
The real challenge for Tata now? Keeping this CNG momentum going while still pushing their electric dreams. But honestly, with fuel prices doing what they’re doing and CNG stations popping up everywhere, this trend has legs.
For now, compressed natural gas is having its moment. And frankly, it’s about time.