Mahindra claims 24.70 km/kg for the XUV 3XO CNG. That is a figure per kilogram of CNG, not per litre of petrol, so it needs translating before you can compare it with a petrol car. This guide shows how to do that and what affects the number you see.
Quick Answer
The claimed efficiency is 24.70 km/kg. In simple terms, every kilogram of CNG should take the car about 24.7 km under test conditions. Real-world figures are usually lower, and they depend on your speed, traffic, load, tyre pressure and air-conditioning use.
What km/kg Means
CNG is sold by the kilogram, so the efficiency is measured in kilometres per kilogram. To compare with petrol, you need the price of one kilogram of CNG and the price of one litre of petrol, then divide to get cost per kilometre.
How To Estimate Your Running Cost
- Find your local CNG price per kg.
- Divide the price by 24.70 to get the approximate cost per kilometre under claimed conditions.
- Multiply by your monthly distance to get a monthly running cost.
- Repeat with petrol: divide the petrol price by the petrol car's claimed km/L.
- Compare the two figures and add real-world margin for city driving.
Example Of The Method
Suppose CNG costs Rs 90 per kg. The cost per kilometre under the claimed figure is about Rs 3.64 (90 divided by 24.70). For 1,000 km a month, that is about Rs 3,640 under test conditions. Use your own local CNG price, since prices vary by city.
Factors That Change Real-World Mileage
- City traffic: stop-start driving reduces efficiency.
- Load: extra passengers and luggage add weight.
- Air-conditioning: heavy AC use reduces efficiency.
- Tyre pressure: under-inflated tyres use more fuel.
- Driving style: smooth acceleration and steady speeds help.
- Maintenance: clean filters and correct spark plugs improve economy.
Reading The Efficiency Figure Correctly
The 24.70 km/kg figure is a claim, measured under standard test conditions. Real-world figures in the city are often lower, and highway figures can be higher. Track your own numbers over a few months to see the true average. Fill up at the same station when you can, to make the comparison fair.
Real-World Checklist
- Keep tyres at the pressure given in the owner's manual.
- Remove unnecessary weight from the boot.
- Use air-conditioning sensibly, especially in heavy traffic.
- Avoid sudden braking and hard acceleration.
- Service the engine and air filter on schedule.
Monthly Running Cost Example
Suppose you drive 1,500 km a month and CNG costs Rs 90 per kg. At the claimed 24.70 km/kg, you would use about 61 kg of CNG, which costs roughly Rs 5,460 a month under test conditions. Add a margin for city driving and compare the result with your petrol car's figure using the same method. Use your local CNG price, since prices vary by city and change over time.
CNG Versus Petrol: A Simple Way To Compare
Divide the local CNG price per kg by 24.70 to get the cost per km for CNG. Divide the local petrol price per litre by the petrol car's claimed km/L to get the cost per km for petrol. Compare the two figures, then add the price premium of the CNG version to see how many kilometres it takes to recover that premium.
Helpful Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 24.70 km/kg a real-world figure? It is Mahindra's claimed figure. Real-world results are usually lower, depending on driving conditions.
How do I compare CNG and petrol mileage? Work out cost per kilometre for each fuel using local prices, not just the efficiency figure.
Does AC reduce CNG mileage? Yes. Heavy air-conditioning use reduces efficiency on any fuel.
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