I already have a 2019 Seltos petrol manual. Recently, I got a job, and my workplace is 45km away from my home, so it is a 90km daily drive. This long commute is taking a toll on my pocket, as I hardly get decent mileage. Moreover, pressing the clutch and brake in traffic during my return journey is frustrating and tiresome. Should I install CNG in my car, or should I sell it and buy a new one? If so, which one?
In our opinion, you should avoid retrofitting CNG to your around 7-year-old Seltos. Instead, it makes more sense to sell it and move to a newer car that is more efficient and easier on the pocket.If you can set up home charging, an EV makes a lot of sense. It will significantly cut down your travel expenses, and, being an electric car, there is no hassle of changing gears. EVs are smooth and extremely easy to drive, which can greatly reduce daily driving stress.Since you already own a Kia Seltos and would prefer something familiar, we would suggest considering the Hyundai Creta Electric. It is a very well-rounded product, and the calibration of the electric motor is spot on, making it extremely smooth and easy to drive. It also offers a single pedal regenerative braking mode that works beautifully, and once you get used to it, you will rarely need to use the brake pedal, reducing fatigue even further. Considering your running, we would recommend the larger 52 kWh battery pack, which should deliver over 350 km on a single charge, making it practical for your usage.There are other, on-paper, more impressive EVs at this price point, such as the Tata Harrier EV and Mahindra BE 6. However, if you are looking for a car that is easy to drive, hassle-free and easy to live with, the Creta EV is a very strong choice.If you prefer to stick with an internal combustion engine but want lower running costs, you should consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid. It runs in EV mode a lot of the time at low speeds and in stop-and-go traffic, making it very smooth and easy to drive. Being a strong hybrid, it is also extremely efficient, and even in the worst traffic conditions, you can safely expect over 20 kpl. Since it is still an ICE vehicle, occasional long highway trips don’t require planning, unlike an EV. What you will need to plan, however, is luggage, as the hybrid battery under the boot floor does eat into usable boot space.If you are willing to wait, the new Renault Duster is expected to get a hybrid powertrain around Diwali, and the next-generation Creta and Seltos are also expected to receive hybrid options early next year.
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