The Hindu Business Line : ‘Hybrid engines definitely need some push in India’

Eaton India, part of the global $13-billion diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation has introduced the diesel electric hybrid power systems and is the first company to make the technology commercially available for trucks and buses. “Our hybrid customers are reporting fuel savings of 30 to 60 per cent.

“With the growing road network in India, the impetus on improving infrastructure and the increasing concerns over the environment, there is scope to make use of the technology for a more fuel efficient and safe environment around us,” said Mr Shyam P. Kambeyanda, Managing Director, Eaton India, during a recent interaction with Business Line.

In this email interview, Mr Kambeyanda shares his thoughts on market opportunities for Eaton and the growth drivers in India.

What is your view on ‘hybrid engines’? What are the opportunities for Eaton to expand on this front in India?

The world witnessed a huge upsurge in oil prices recently and everyone talked about alternative technologies. Eaton has pioneered diesel electric hybrid power systems for commercial vehicles. We are the first company to make the technology commercially available for trucks and buses. With the growing road network in India, the impetus on improving infrastructure and the increasing concerns over environment, there is scope to make use of our technology for a more fuel efficient and safe environment. We are pursuing opportunities in India with OEMs and the Government on this initiative.

What are the benefits of using ‘hybrid engines’?

The benefits of using hybrid technologies include improved fuel efficiency, life cycle costs, reliability, driver ease, safety, and reduced noise and emissions. Depending on the hybrid application deployed, our hybrid customers are reporting fuel savings of 30 per cent to 60 per cent and similar reductions in harmful emissions and particulates.

What are the drivers for this (hybrid) model to work in India?

India is investing in infrastructure that is conducive to the types of products that Eaton manufactures. Hybrid engines definitely need some push in India, which we already see happening amidst rising fuel prices and growing environmental concerns. However, the technology is still out of the reach of masses; also, benefits in terms of incentives and investments are required at the State level for us to witness the big take-off.

The State Governments or the city development boards, with their autonomy in the public transportation sector, can make a big difference by making the first move in terms of incentives that are usually at the end-user level. We are more than happy to support the Government with our technology and capability, like we have done in China recently by signing an agreement to power their fleet of State-run buses.

What are the focus areas and growth drivers for Eaton in India?

We believe we have a diversified and balanced portfolio globally. We have a quarter of our business in the early cycle of an economy (residential and heavy truck); a quarter of our business focused on mid-cycle (hydraulics and light trucks); another quarter in a late cycle (commercial aerospace and non-residential construction); and last in businesses that do not have a cycle globally (aftermarket, automotive globally, defence and filtration). In the future, we see a similar portfolio for us in India.

We see a strong potential for our electrical business in India as the trend can be summed up in three words: demand, quality and the environment. In our hydraulics business, we see infrastructure projects and construction space as key drivers. On the truck and commercial vehicle space, we see a trend towards heavier long-haul trucks as the infrastructure improves in India and also hybrids. In the automotive space, we see our selves as partners to OEMs in India as they begin to develop more sophisticated engines and look towards the overseas markets for growth.

We see India as a part of our global footprint and expect our team in India to drive innovation for the domestic market and our global customers who are making plans to build engines here.