Watch: Does The CNG-powered Tata Tiago Have A Lower Running Cost Than Tata Tiago EV?
The Tata Tiago and the Tiago EV were updated with model year 2025 (MY25) updates with the same hardware as before. We check out which Tiago iteration has the lowest running cost
As emission norms get stricter, more people are switching to greener alternatives for their cars. Two popular choices are CNG and EVs, both of which significantly reduce emissions. But which one is more affordable to run? To find out, we got behind the wheel of the Tata Tiago CNG and Tata Tiago EV and put them to the test. Here’s how we did it and what we found.
But before we look at the results, let us take the performance figures of the Tiago CNG and Tiago EV.
Tata Tiago CNG Engine Specifications
The Tata Tiago CNG is powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, the details of which are as follows:
| Engine |
1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol+CNG |
| Power |
75.5 PS |
| Torque |
96.5 Nm |
| Transmission |
5-speed MT / 5-speed AMT* |
*AMT = Automated manual transmission
Tata Motors is yet to reveal the claimed fuel efficiency figures of the Tata Tiago CNG for both transmission options.
Tata Tiago EV Battery And Electric Motor Specifications
The Tata Tiago EV gets two battery pack options, both mated with a front-axle-mounted electric motor. The detailed specifications are as follows:
| Battery Pack |
19.2 kWh |
24 kWh |
| Power |
61 PS |
75 PS |
| Torque |
110 Nm |
114 Nm |
| Drivetrain |
FWD^ |
FWD |
| Claimed Range (MIDC Part 1+2) |
223 km |
293 km |
^FWD = Front-wheel-drive
We had the Tiago EV with the larger battery pack with us, and we used it in the test.
Comparing its performance with the CNG option, the Tiago EV, with the larger battery pack option, produces almost the same power but 17.5 Nm more than the former.
Let us now take a look at the real-world running cost of both Tiago iterations and find out which powertrain option was more economical to the pocket.
Implementation
To find the correct answer, we drove both the Tata Tiago CNG and Tiago EV for 150 km on city and highway roads alike. After that, we refilled the CNG, recharged the EV and got the calculators doing the math for us.
Also Read: Tata Harrier EV Showcased Ahead Of Launch: 5 Things You Need To Know
What Was Found?
The test returned the following results:
| Model |
Cost per kilometre |
| Tata Tiago CNG |
Rs. 3.78 per km |
| Tata Tiago EV |
Rs. 1.60 per km |
The Tata Tiago EV had a running cost that was Rs. 2.18 lesser per km than the CNG version.
However, it's important to note that the Tata Tiago EV comes at a significantly higher upfront cost than the Tiago CNG. If you're considering the EV purely for its lower running cost, it would take nearly 10 years to recover the price difference.
Prices
Here are the detailed prices of the two Tiago iterations. Here are the specifications:
| Model |
Price Range |
| Tata Tiago CNG |
Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8.75 lakh |
| Tata Tiago EV |
Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 11.14 lakh |
All prices are ex-showroom, pan-India
The table suggests that the top-spec Tata Tiago EV is Rs. 2.39 lakh costier than the Tata Tiago CNG.
That said, the Tiago CNG rivals the Maruti Celerio, Maruti Wagon R and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. The Tata Tiago EV, on the other hand, locks horns with the Citroen eC3 and can be considered a competitor to the MG Comet EV.
Will you choose a CNG car or an EV? Tell us in the comments below.
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