Indian automakers adapt to eco-friendly technologies to meet government's clean mobility goals
Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor Company and Eicher Motors are among Indian automakers working on range of eco-friendly technologies, including biogas, flex-fuel and ethanol, to achieve the government’s goal of clean mobility in line with the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) announced at the G20 Summit.
While two-wheeler makers such as Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, and TVS are looking to commercially launch one model each running on flex fuel by October 2024, carmakers such as Maruti Suzuki are developing vehicles powered by biogas which would be carbon neutral.
For passenger vehicles, the timelines for mass introduction of flex fuel vehicles have been set at April 2027 given the complex product mix and volume constraints.
Vinod Aggarwal, president of industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) said there has been significant progress in biofuels and alternate fuels. “The industry has showcased flex fuel vehicles on pilot basis in both two wheelers and passenger cars.
Now, with the formation of Global Biofuels Alliance at the recently concluded G20 Summit, bio fuels will get a further boost as the country works in close cooperation with leading bio fuel producing countries”, Aggarwal said. There has already been noteworthy shift to CNG in the passenger vehicle, and light and medium duty commercial vehicle segments, Aggarwal said, adding “a lot of work is happening in LNG fuel for long haul trucks”.
Additionally, work is on to accelerate electrification in the bus, two-wheeler, three-wheeler and passenger vehicle segment.
Maruti Suzuki chairman R. C.
