In a significant strategic pivot, Tata Motors is signaling a broader approach to clean mobility, moving beyond a sole focus on electric vehicles (EVs). The Indian automaker is now actively developing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and hybrid powertrains for its premium models, including the much-anticipated Curvv and Sierra, as well as the flagship Harrier and Safari SUVs.
This shift underscores a pragmatic response to consumer demand and market realities. While Tata has been a frontrunner in India’s EV space, the company recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for every customer. By diversifying its eco-friendly portfolio, Tata aims to offer a “right fit” solution for a wider range of buyers, ensuring there’s a cleaner alternative whether a customer is ready for a full EV or not.
The CNG Push Reaches the Premium Segment
Tata Motors is no stranger to CNG. The technology has been a runaway success in their smaller cars like the Tiago, Tigor, Punch, and Nexon. The numbers tell a compelling story: CNG’s contribution to total sales has skyrocketed from just 3% in FY2022 to an impressive 21% in the first half of the current fiscal year (FY2025).
Capitalizing on this momentum, the company is now preparing to introduce CNG in larger vehicles. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, recently indicated that the brand is evaluating CNG options for models in the 4.3-metre segment. This is a clear, though indirect, hint that the upcoming Curvv and Sierra SUVs could soon be available with iCNG badges.
The move would see Tata directly challenging Maruti Suzuki, which already offers the Vitara Brezza and Grand Vitara with factory-fitted CNG kits in this space. Chandra made it clear that the final decision hinges on proven customer demand, but the market signals appear strong.
A Hybrid Bridge for the Flagship SUVs
For its largest and most powerful SUVs, the Harrier and Safari, Tata Motors is exploring a different path: hybrid technology. This is seen as a strategic “bridge” technology, offering the refined power and performance expected from these vehicles while delivering significantly better fuel efficiency and lower emissions than pure petrol engines.
The key to this strategy lies under the hood. Tata Motors is set to unveil a new, flexible 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the Sierra on November 25th. This engine family, which will also include a turbocharged version for the Harrier and Safari in December, has been reportedly designed from the ground up to accommodate a hybrid electric system.
Chandra confirmed that the technology is “ready in the shelf,” awaiting the right market conditions to launch. This positions Tata to compete effectively as rivals like Hyundai, Kia, Honda, and the Renault-Nissan alliance also gear up to launch hybrid SUVs in the competitive Indian market.
This dual-pronged strategy of CNG for mid-size SUVs and hybrids for its flagships demonstrates Tata Motors’ agile and customer-centric approach, ensuring it remains a dominant force in India’s evolving automotive landscape.
