The Hindu Business Line : Tata Motors, IOC join informally for bio-diesel pilot project

ONE engine, two Indica cars, a few light commercial vehicles and now a fleet of 43 buses. This is the progression chart of Tata Motors, which has announced a pilot programme for the use of bio-diesel in its vehicles.

At the flag-off ceremony of the bus fleet at its plant at Pimpri in Pune, Dr V. Sumantran, Executive Director PCBU and ERC Tata Motors Ltd, said this is a joint project undertaken with Indian Oil Corporation. He, however, noted that there was no written agreement between the companies. This is a project undertaken to understand the feasibility of such an exercise.

Dr Sumantran said the data would be obtained from the 43 buses plying in and out of the company premises, travelling about 160 km a day, in varying traffic conditions and weather. He said that depending on the data, the programme would be rolled out to include the remaining buses of its fleet.

Tata Motors has a fleet of 160 buses.

Dr Sumantran said that Tata Motors in the recent past undertook several research and development projects towards adoption of environment-friendly technology.

In addition to fuel conservation and exploration of hydrogen-based fuels, the company has also stepped up its efforts to use renewable bio-fuels. Asked if this would need changes in automobile components, he said delicate parts such as inkjets, nozzles and other small components were being carefully monitored.

Dr Sumantran said Tata Motors is working on a hybrid car that would have an engine and a motor, and the prototype is expected to be ready by the year-end.

Asked whether it would be similar to the electric car REVA,he did not disclose the details of the product, adding that it was at an advanced stage.

Mr B.M. Bansal, Director, R&D, Indian Oil Corporation, said IOC has developed a process that would convert vegetable oil into bio-diesel while giving out by-products such as glycerine (which can be used by pharma companies) and oil cake, which is a good fertiliser. He said about 10 per cent of bio-diesel was being blended for the pilot programme.

Mr Bansal said that IOC has filed a patent for the process. He said jatropha was the only plant that was being used for the manufacture of bio-diesel although another option, karanjia, was there. But the product from karanjia is not suitable, he said.

He said jatropha plantation on 40 hectares had been undertaken last year, adding that this year another 30 hectares would be brought under jatropha.

Mr R.K. Malhotra, General Manager, R&D, IOC, said bio-diesel was the only alternative fuel that can run any conventional, unmodified diesel engine. It could be stored anywhere and no modification to the diesel pump is needed. He added that bio-diesel emits 80 per cent less carbon-dioxide and almost 100 per cent less sulphur dioxide.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page