Tata Develops Engines for Biomethane-powered Buses

Tata Motors, India’s largest Commercial Vehicles manufacturer, has showcased the country’s first Bio-CNG (biomethane or renewable natural gas (RNG)) bus at a bio-energy event in mid-June. Displayed at the event were three engines, along with the lead Tata Bio-CNG model.

Tata Motors has designed and developed bio-methane engines (5.7 SGI & 3.8 SGI) for LCV, ICV & MCV buses, three of which were on display at the event in Pune. The presented model was the Tata LPO 1613 with 5.7 SGI NA BS-IV IOBD-II compliant technology, fueled with RNG. The model is already in operation by PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited).

According to Mr. Girish Waugh, Head, Commercial Vehicles Business, Tata Motors, “We are delighted to present yet another product with innovation in alternate fuel technologies, to cater to the need for a greener country. The use of Bio-CNG will contribute in a positive manner to the Smart Cities proposition of keeping them clean and is a good option for wet garbage management.”

Speaking on the Bio-methane bus development, Mr. Rajendra Petkar, Head, Power System, Engineering, Tata Motors said: “The showcase of the Biomethane bus is a step towards developing environment friendly vehicles. Biomethane is produced out of bio-degradable materials like kitchen waste. This gas, which gets produced out of natural degradation process, escapes into the atmosphere unused. However, harvested for vehicle fuel, it reduces the net impact on the environment.”

Tata Motors has pioneered the introduction of natural gas vehicles (CNG) in India. For close to two decades it has introduced several technologies in CNG engines related to vehicle performance and safety. Moving towards gas power will contribute majorly towards decreasing emissions for a cleaner environment. Furthermore, operating engines on biomethane will help promote Government of India’s Smart City initiative.

This bio-energy programme, called ‘Urja Utsav’, was organized by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Present at the event were Hon’ble Minister of MoPNG (Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas) Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri. Piyush Goyal.

Source: Tata Motors