India’s role as an emerging economy may turn on its ability
to use alternative fuels. The national government joined the International
Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy in 2003. This membership pushed India
toward a National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap in 2006, which set a goal of one
million hydrogen vehicles within the next decade. Clean energy company Eden
Energy Limited is working with Indian bus company Ashok Leyland to work toward
this goal. The Australian manufacturer recently tested its 92kW H06B CNG
engine, which will be used in Ashok Leyland buses throughout India.
Eden Energy Limited has worked with its American subsidiary
Hythane Company to develop drive systems using natural gas and hydrogen. The
Hythane blend is essentially compressed natural gas enriched with 20% hydrogen
by volume. Both companies are working with Indian utility GAIL Ltd. to develop refueling
stations in anticipation for widespread use of Hythane. Ashok Leyland intends
to use the H06B CNG engine in 70 buses in Mumbai by December 2010. These buses
will be joined by CNG-powered units from as-yet-unnamed competitors by the
beginning of next year.
The primary reason why Ashok Leyland is interested in
Hythane bus engines is India’s Bharat emissions standards. These standards are
similar to the Euro IV and Euro V standards for carbon emissions, which will
force automakers to curb their greenhouse gas creation. The H06B CNG engine by
Eden Energy easily exceeds the Bharat IV and Bharat V standards. Eden Energy
notes that its Hythane engine reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 16.6% and
carbon dioxide emissions by 6.2% compared to traditional buses. Ashok Leyland
is also excited about the 6.5% fuel efficiency increase associated with
Hythane-powered buses.
Emissions reductions and increased fuel economy will be
critical in emerging economies in the next generation. India, China, Brazil and
Russia in particular must look at alternative fuels to maintain growth in their
economies. By using CNG engines, Ashok Leyland and other bus companies can
bypass the tightening squeeze on oil supplies worldwide. Indian consumers will
get accustomed to boarding buses powered by hydrogen and CNG, which will make
passenger vehicles powered by alternative fuels commonplace. The work done by
Eden Energy and Ashok Leyland is only a single step toward a sustainable energy
economy that must be replicated worldwide.
