Purchasing a four-wheeler is a major financial decision resonating with the buyer's lifestyle. It requires a significant investment that you can finance with a car loan. However, before finalising the purchase of a car, choosing the fuel type is one of the most significant factors affecting the decision. While petrol, diesel, and CNG are the most popular options, your choice can primarily affect its running cost, maintenance charges, fuel economy, etc.
After price, fuel type is the most critical determining factor when buying a car. Besides performance, it also influences the car's environmental impact and running costs. While all three fuel options have pros and cons, the final choice depends on your priorities and requirements, including technology, mileage, seating capacity, etc. In the following sections, we will compare CNG vs petrol vs diesel vehicles to help you make a better choice.
Read Also: 10 Used Cng & Automatic Cars Under 2 Lakhs in India 2023
Difference Between CNG vs Petrol vs Diesel
Choosing between CNG, petrol, and diesel vehicles involves considering factors like cost, efficiency, and environmental impact. Here's a comparison to help you decide which fuel type suits your needs:
| Parameter | Petrol | Diesel | CNG |
| Car Price | Cheaper than diesel and CNG cars | Expensive than petrol and CNG cars | Expensive than petrol cars but cheaper than diesel cars |
| Fuel Price | Highest | Lower than petrol, higher than CNG | Lowest |
| Mileage | Lowest | Higher than petrol, lower than CNG | Highest |
| Running Costs | Highest | Lower than petrol, higher than CNG | Lowest |
| Environmental Impact | Exhaust carbon monoxide | Produce carbon emissions | CNG is a combustible fuel and exhausts clean emissions |
| Fuel Availability | Easily available at every petrol station | Easily available at every petrol station | Limited number of CNG refilling stations |
| Life Expectancy | Lower than diesel | Higher than petrol | Similar to petrol |
| Performance | Good performance and better pick-up than CNG and diesel | Slower pick-up but good performance afterwards | Lower power generation than petrol and diesel |
| Comfort | Refined petrol engines have low NVH (Noise, Vibrations, Harshness), providing the most comfortable drives. | Less refined with higher NVH | Similar to petrol engines |
| Boot Space | Ample boot space | Ample boot space | Limited boot space because a CNG cylinder consumes a lot of space in the boot |
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Advantages and Disadvantages of CNG, Petrol and Diesel Cars
Before finalising which car is best petrol or diesel or CNG, looking at their advantages and disadvantages is helpful. Here’s an overview.
Advantages and Disadvantages of CNG Cars
CNG cars offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuel vehicles. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using CNG cars:
| Pros of CNG Cars | Cons of CNG Cars |
|---|
- Lower running cost than petrol and diesel cars due to cheaper CNG price
- More fuel economy than petrol and diesel cars
- CNG cars do not cause global warming because they do not emit pollution-causing carbon emissions.
- Most CNG cars allow you to switch between petrol and CNG during the drive.
| - High maintenance costs due to CNG kit
- Lower comfort and performance than petrol and diesel cars
- Low fuel tank capacity, resulting in limited driving range
- CNG cylinder takes a lot of boot space
- CNG refilling stations are not so widely available compared to petrol and diesel stations
- CNG kit installation makes the car more expensive
|
Advantages and Disadvantages of Petrol Cars
Petrol cars are popular for their performance and convenience. However, they come with both benefits and drawbacks that potential buyers should consider. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using Petrol cars:
| Pros of Petrol Cars | Cons of Petrol Cars |
|---|
- Cheaper than diesel and CNG cars
- Lower NVH levels, resulting in a smooth and comfortable driving experience
- Faster pick-up results in a stable power output
- Lower maintenance costs
- Easy fuel availability after every few km
| - Fuel price is higher
- Lower high-end performance and torque compared to diesel cars
- Emit carbon monoxide, contributing to air pollution
|
Advantages and Disadvantages of Diesel Cars
Diesel cars offer unique advantages and disadvantages, impacting their suitability based on individual preferences and driving needs. Here’s a comparative look at the key points:
| Pros of Diesel Cars | Cons of Diesel Cars |
|---|
- Lower running cost than petrol cars
- Better top-end performance, making them ideal for drives on highways
- Longer life expectancy than petrol cars
- Higher fuel efficiency than petrol cars
| - Diesel cars are more expensive than petrol and CNG cars.
- High NVH levels, making the drives a little jerky, noisy, and uncomfortable
- Diesel engines are not as refined as petrol engines
- Higher spare parts, service, and maintenance costs
|
Which Type of Fuel Affects the Environment?
When selecting fuel for your car, it's important to focus on its environmental impact. Amongst CNG vs petrol vs diesel vehicles, CNG is the cleanest option in regards to greenhouse gas emissions. It creates fewer carbon emissions than petrol and diesel engines, making it the ideal choice for those wanting a cleaner fuel. Petrol is also a clean fuel, producing more greenhouse gases than CNG. And diesel is the most polluting option, generating high carbon fumes and particulate matter when burned.
Keep in mind that a car's emissions can vary depending on several factors, so it's essential to maintain your vehicle to ensure it's running efficiently regularly. Ultimately, choosing CNG over petrol and diesel can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
When selecting fuel for your car, consider its environmental impact. Here’s a comparison of CNG, petrol, and diesel:
| CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|
| Cleanest Option: Emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to petrol and diesel. | Moderate Emissions: Produces more greenhouse gases than CNG. | Highest Emissions: Generates high carbon fumes and particulate matter. |
| Lower Carbon Emissions: Reduces overall carbon footprint. | Cleaner than Diesel: Less polluting option compared to diesel engines. | Most Polluting: Significant environmental impact due to higher emissions. |
| Ideal for Environment: Best choice for those prioritizing cleaner fuel. | Commonly Used: Widely available and used in many vehicles. | Efficient but Dirty: Offers better mileage but at the cost of greater pollution.Choosing CNG over petrol and diesel can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, making it the most environmentally friendly option. |
Read Also: 10 Best High Mileage Diesel Car - Top Picks and Reviews
Maintenance Charges for Petrol, CNG and Diesel
Cars with petrol engines are the cheapest to maintain due to easily accessible and affordable spare parts. Conversely, cars with diesel engines have more complex components, making the price of spare parts more expensive. Overall, maintaining a diesel car is costlier than a petrol car.
CNG cars have bi-fuel petrol engines, allowing you to drive the vehicle with the option of CNG or petrol fuel. You can switch between the two fuel options during the drive to get the best of both worlds. However, the CNG kit installed in it makes its maintenance more expensive.
Since these cars have both mechanisms, you must maintain both to keep the vehicle in good condition. They will require more frequent checks to spot any leaks or malfunctions in the system. Hence, the overall maintenance charges for CNG vehicles are higher than for petrol and diesel cars.
How to Determine Which Car is Best?
Determining which car is the best is not a one-word answer. The final choice largely depends on your requirements, preferences, budget, driving needs, etc. Below are a few key points you must remember when comparing CNG vs diesel vs petrol.
- If you want a car with good overall performance, high durability, lower fuel consumption, and lower running costs, go for a diesel car that provides all these benefits.
- If you wish for a cheaper car with the smoothest rides, easy fuel availability, faster pick-ups, low NVH levels, and lower maintenance needs, opt for a petrol car.
- If you are looking for a car with lower running costs, more fuel economy, and low carbon emissions, purchase a CNG car.
CNG cars have become popular car options for daily commutes at low running costs. Moreover, they are eco-friendly and do not pollute the environment. So, you can take out your car every day without feeling guilty.
Read Also: 10 Best High Mileage Petrol Cars in India You Can Buy in 2023
How Can Used Car Loan Help You for Finance your Best Car
Have you decided Petrol, CNG and Diesel which car is best for you but are considering buying a pre-owned one? You can finance the purchase with a Used Car Loan from Hero FinCorp. It can help you buy your dream car on a budget, thanks to the following benefits it provides:
- Freedom to own your dream car
- Ample loan amount of up to Rs 50 Lakh
- A high LTV ratio of up to 175%
- Competitive used car loan interest rate, starting at 12.5%
- Flexible repayment terms of up to 5 years for efficient EMI management
- No need to exhaust your savings
Steps to Apply for a Used Car Loan for your Best Car
Here is the stepwise procedure to apply for a used car loan at Hero FinCorp:
Step 1- Visit the Hero FinCorp website.
Step 2- Go to the Used Car Loan page and click Apply Now.
Step 3- Fill out an online application form with your name, contact details, professional information, etc.
Step 4- After assessing your loan application, a customer representative will approve your loan and disburse the amount directly into your bank account.
Before applying, use the used car loan EMI calculator to choose a loan tenure with affordable EMIs.
Conclusion
From the above information, you must have deducted several crucial things about the various fuel options: CNG vs petrol vs diesel. While CNG is the cheapest and most eco-friendly, it has lower power and acceleration than its petrol and diesel counterparts.
On the other hand, petrol cars are expensive, and diesel cars have high NVH levels. Whichever car type you decide to buy, finance it with a new or old car loan to avoid paying its price upfront. Hero FinCorp offers the lowest interest car loan with flexible repayment terms and favourable terms and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is CNG better than petrol?
CNG is better than petrol in terms of mileage, fuel efficiency, environmental impact, etc.
2. Why is CNG preferred over petrol or diesel?
Many people prefer CNG cars over petrol and diesel due to lower running costs, lower environmental impact, and more fuel economy.
3. Is CNG risky in cars?
It is a myth. CNG has a higher ignition temperature, making it less dangerous than petrol and diesel.
4. Why do people prefer petrol over diesel?
Many people prefer petrol over diesel for smoother operation, less noise, and more fuel economy.
5. Is diesel bad for your health?
Exposure to diesel fumes might lead to critical health conditions like heart and lung disease, asthma, and other respiratory diseases, especially in the elderly and children.
6. Is CNG cheaper than petrol?
Yes, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is generally cheaper than petrol. CNG offers lower fuel costs per kilometer and can lead to significant savings for vehicle owners over time. Additionally, CNG is more environmentally friendly compared to petrol, contributing to reduced emissions.
