Since its launch earlier this year, the Bajaj Freedom 125 has reached a new sales milestone during October’s festive season. Based on Vahan data (as of November 4, 7 a.m.), the eco-friendly motorcycle has sold a cumulative 20,942 units. This includes a modest 272 units in its debut period in late July, followed by steady growth with 4,111 units in August, 4,937 units in September, and an impressive 11,041 units in October. An additional 581 units have already been sold in the first three days of November.
Growth Trajectory and Market Expansion
Initially available only in Maharashtra and Gujarat, where CNG filling stations are more widespread, the Freedom 125 saw a soft rollout in July. By mid-August, Bajaj expanded its reach to 77 cities across India, including many Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns. This broadened market availability has contributed to rising demand, with the company optimistic about continued growth as India’s CNG infrastructure expands. Currently, there are around 7,000 CNG stations nationwide, a figure expected to more than double to over 17,000 by 2030. According to Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director at Bajaj Auto, CNG is now accessible in 335 of the country’s 500 largest towns, which represent 70% of the target market.
Given the strong demand, Bajaj plans to ramp up production from the initial capacity of 10,000 units per month to approximately 30,000–40,000 units by FY2025, potentially achieving this increase by January 2025.
Pricing, Efficiency, and Dual-Fuel Capability
The Bajaj Freedom 125 is offered in three variants: NG04 Drum at Rs 95,000, NG04 Drum LED at Rs 1,05,000, and NG04 Disc LED at Rs 1,10,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). Designed to run on both CNG and petrol, this motorcycle presents an economical alternative to traditional petrol-powered commuter bikes, especially with Mumbai’s petrol prices at Rs 104.19 (as of September 3). Bajaj estimates that the Freedom 125 can cut running costs by up to 50% compared to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles, averaging Rs 1 per kilometer.
With a CNG range of over 200 kilometers on a 2kg tank, the bike also includes a 2-liter petrol tank for an additional 130-kilometer range, offering a total combined range of 330 kilometers. Autocar India’s tests show that the Freedom 125 achieves impressive mileage: 94km/kg in the city and 126km/kg on the highway on CNG, while petrol use yields 53.4 km/l in the city and 62.37 km/l on the highway. Environmentally, the Freedom 125 emits 26.7% less CO2, 85% fewer non-methane hydrocarbons, and 43% less nitrogen oxide compared to similar petrol-only motorcycles.
Bajaj’s Strategic Market Focus
Speaking at Bajaj Auto’s Q1 FY2025 earnings call, Rakesh Sharma emphasized the Freedom 125’s benefits, including its 50% fuel cost savings, comfortable ergonomics, and dual-fuel flexibility, which has been well-received in the mileage-focused 100cc–125cc segment. This segment accounts for nearly 75% of India’s monthly motorcycle sales, with 60% of customers in these categories having access to CNG stations, representing a sizable addressable market.
The 100cc–125cc segment recorded sales of 1,013,891 units in September 2024, comprising 78% of India’s overall 1,298,610 motorcycles sold that month. With its cost-effective design, Bajaj aims to capture this high-demand, fuel-conscious market with the Freedom 125, a promising contender in the commuter bike category.
Read More: