The familiar hum of the Honda Activa has been the soundtrack to Indian urban mobility for over two decades now. With more than 30 million units sold since its debut in 2001, this unassuming scooter has transported everything from schoolchildren to office workers, groceries to gas cylinders. Yet for its seventh generation, Honda has implemented perhaps the most significant technological leap in the model’s history – a factory-fitted CNG option that promises to fundamentally change the economics of two-wheeler ownership in India.
I’ve spent the past fortnight riding the 2025 Activa 7G CNG across Delhi’s diverse terrain – from the congested lanes of Chandni Chowk to the wide, sweeping roads of Lutyens’ Delhi, and even a weekend excursion to Gurugram. This extended test period has revealed both the impressive engineering achievements and the inevitable compromises that come with pioneering a new technology in this fiercely competitive segment.
Engineering Challenges: How Honda Made CNG Work
Implementing CNG technology in a scooter presents unique engineering hurdles that don’t apply to four-wheelers. Space constraints pose the most obvious challenge – where exactly do you fit a pressurized gas cylinder in a vehicle with minimal storage capacity to begin with?
Honda’s solution proves remarkably elegant. Rather than mounting a cylindrical tank that would compromise underseat storage entirely, the engineering team developed a specially-designed toroidal (donut-shaped) tank that wraps around the central tunnel. This innovative approach preserves approximately 60% of the standard Activa’s storage capacity – sufficient for a half-face helmet and small personal items, though full-face helmet storage remains impossible.
“The tank design represented our biggest engineering challenge,” explains Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India. “We rejected fifteen different configurations before finalizing this approach, which maintains structural integrity while preserving essential storage space.”
The 1.5kg capacity CNG tank operates at 200 bar pressure and integrates seamlessly with the proven 110cc engine. The dual-fuel system allows riders to switch between petrol and CNG with a conveniently positioned toggle switch on the right handlebar. Transitioning between fuel sources happens almost imperceptibly while riding – I noticed only a very slight hesitation during my tests when switching from CNG to petrol at speeds above 40 km/h.
The refueling process initially feels cumbersome compared to traditional petrol filling but becomes more intuitive with practice. The CNG filling port, located beneath a secured panel near the floorboard, connects to standard CNG pumps using an adapter provided with the scooter. A complete refill from empty takes approximately 4-5 minutes – longer than petrol refueling but not prohibitively so.
Performance: Practicality Over Pizzazz
The standard Activa has never been about exhilarating performance, instead prioritizing reliability and ease of use. The CNG variant maintains this philosophy while introducing some noticeable differences in power delivery.
When running on CNG, the 109.7cc air-cooled engine produces approximately 7.4 horsepower at 8,000 rpm – roughly 8% less than when operating on petrol. Torque sees a similar reduction, dropping from 8.9 Nm to about 8.2 Nm. These figures might suggest a significant performance deficit, but in real-world riding conditions, the difference feels less pronounced than the numbers imply.
Off-the-line acceleration does suffer somewhat in CNG mode, taking approximately 1.8 seconds longer to reach 40 km/h compared to petrol operation. This hesitation becomes most noticeable when attempting quick overtakes in city traffic. However, once cruising at steady speeds between 40-60 km/h – the sweet spot for most urban commuting – the performance difference becomes barely perceptible.
The top speed in CNG mode tops out at approximately 82 km/h (compared to the petrol mode’s 90 km/h) – entirely adequate for urban environments but potentially limiting for riders who frequently use ring roads or highways. During my weekend trip to Gurugram via the expressway, I found myself switching to petrol mode for more confident overtaking and to maintain higher speeds against headwinds.
An unexpected benefit of CNG operation is the reduced engine vibration at cruising speeds. The combustion characteristics of compressed natural gas result in smoother power delivery between 30-60 km/h, reducing fatigue during longer rides. This refinement particularly impressed during a two-hour traffic jam returning from Gurugram, where the engine’s smoothness made the crawling pace more tolerable.
Economics: The Compelling Case for Conversion
The economic advantages of the Activa 7G CNG provide its most compelling selling point. During my testing period across various riding conditions, the scooter consistently delivered 65-68 km/kg of CNG – translating to running costs approximately 40-45% lower than petrol operation (based on Delhi’s current fuel prices of ₹96.72/liter for petrol and ₹44/kg for CNG).
For the average user covering 1,200 kilometers monthly, this represents potential savings of approximately ₹800-900 per month or ₹9,600-10,800 annually. Given the ₹12,000 premium Honda charges for the CNG variant over the standard petrol model, most users would recover the additional investment within 14-15 months of typical usage.
Beyond fuel savings, Honda claims reduced engine wear when operating on CNG, potentially extending service intervals and engine longevity. While my two-week testing period couldn’t verify these long-term benefits, the cleaner-burning characteristics of CNG make these claims plausible.
The dual-fuel capability provides an important practical advantage over pure CNG vehicles, addressing the limited CNG infrastructure in many regions. During my testing across Delhi NCR, I encountered no difficulties finding CNG stations in urban centers, but availability became sparser in peripheral areas. The ability to switch to petrol eliminates range anxiety entirely – a crucial consideration for potential buyers outside major metropolitan areas.
Practical Considerations: Living with a CNG Scooter
The Activa’s traditional strengths – reliable performance, comfortable ergonomics, and straightforward operation – remain largely intact in the CNG variant. However, several practical considerations emerge from the dual-fuel implementation.
The reduced underseat storage represents the most significant everyday compromise. The space accommodates essential items like a water bottle, small handbag, or rain cover, but larger items that owners of standard Activas might typically carry will require alternative solutions. Honda offers a range of accessories including a rear carrier and topbox to compensate, though these add to the overall cost.
The scooter’s weight increases by approximately 13.5 kilograms compared to the standard petrol variant – noticeable when pushing the scooter or maneuvering in tight parking spaces. However, once moving, the additional weight actually contributes to improved stability at higher speeds, particularly on concrete flyovers and expansion joints where lighter scooters sometimes feel skittish.
Ground clearance reduces by about 15mm due to the underbody components of the CNG system. During my testing on Delhi’s varied road conditions, this lower stance never posed practical problems, even when navigating the notorious speed breakers of residential colonies. However, riders in areas with particularly poor infrastructure might need to exercise additional caution.
The instrument cluster receives thoughtful updates to accommodate the dual-fuel system, including a dedicated CNG level gauge and fuel mode indicator. The LCD display provides clear visibility even under direct sunlight – a significant improvement over earlier Activa generations. One particularly useful addition is the range estimator that calculates remaining distance based on current fuel levels and recent riding patterns.
Technology and Features: More Than Just Alternative Fuel
While the CNG implementation dominates the conversation around the Activa 7G, Honda has implemented several other meaningful updates that enhance the overall ownership experience.
The LED lighting system now extends beyond the headlamp to include position lamps and indicators, creating significantly improved visibility in low-light conditions. The headlight beam pattern showed excellent spread and penetration during night riding through Delhi’s outer regions, where street lighting becomes inconsistent.
Honda’s Smart Key system, previously reserved for their premium models, now features on higher-trim Activas. Beyond the convenience of keyless ignition, it incorporates practical features like an anti-theft alarm and vehicle locator function that activates the indicators remotely – particularly useful in crowded parking areas.
The suspension receives subtle but effective refinements, with the front telescopic forks offering improved absorption of small road imperfections compared to previous generations. The rear suspension maintains a relatively firm setup, prioritizing stability under varying load conditions. During two-up riding with my colleague, the scooter maintained composed handling even with the additional weight.
Verdict: A Pragmatic Revolution for Commuter Mobility
The Honda Activa 7G CNG doesn’t represent a performance revolution or a radical styling departure from its predecessors. Instead, it offers something potentially more valuable – a pragmatic solution to dramatically reduce running costs while maintaining the reliability and ease of use that made the Activa India’s best-selling two-wheeler.
With prices starting at ₹92,000 for the standard variant and ₹1,04,000 for the CNG model (ex-showroom Delhi), the Activa continues to position itself in the heart of the competitive scooter market. The economic case for the CNG variant proves compelling for high-mileage users, particularly in regions with established CNG infrastructure.
For urban commuters seeking to mitigate rising fuel costs while minimizing their environmental footprint, the Activa 7G CNG presents a compelling proposition unmatched by current competitors. The inevitable compromises – reduced storage, additional weight, and slightly diminished performance – seem reasonable tradeoffs for the substantial economic benefits.
Perhaps most significantly, Honda’s implementation of factory-fitted CNG technology in a mass-market scooter demonstrates that sustainable mobility solutions need not be restricted to premium electric vehicles with their associated charging challenges. By adapting existing infrastructure and proven technology, the Activa 7G CNG represents an immediately viable pathway toward more economical and environmentally responsible urban transportation – not a future promise, but a present reality.