CNG cars saved millions of Pakistani families money for a decade — but with cylinder rules, load-shedding and rising gas tariffs, the maths in 2026 is different. Here is the honest picture.
Current per-km cost side by side
For a Suzuki Cultus giving 13 km/L on petrol at PKR 285 and 15 km/kg on CNG at PKR 220, petrol works out to PKR 21.9/km and CNG to PKR 14.7/km. CNG still wins by roughly 33%.
Savings shrink for cars that lose more mileage on CNG (bigger 1500cc+ sedans lose 15–20% power).
Hidden costs to include
Cylinder re-testing every 5 years (PKR 4,000–6,000), regulator maintenance, and reduced engine oil life. Divide these over your annual mileage before deciding.
Availability & load-shedding
CNG supply in Sindh is more consistent than in Punjab, where winter gas load-shedding still hits stations 2–3 days a week. Always keep half a tank of petrol as backup.
When CNG still makes sense
If you drive 60+ km per day in a small-to-mid engine car in Karachi or Hyderabad, CNG pays back its conversion within 8–12 months. For weekend-only drivers, the maths rarely works.