Tata Motors develops country’s first Bio-Methane Bus

Tata Motors has showcased the country’s first bio-CNG (bio-methane) bus at a bio-energy programme, titled ‘Urja Utsav’ in New Delhi.

The company has designed and developed bio-methane engines (5.7 SGI and 3.8 SGI) for LCV, ICV and MCV buses. Also on displayed are three engines along with the lead model – a Tata LPO 1613 with a 5.7 SGI NA BS-IV IOBD-II-compliant bus. The Tata LPO 1613, already in operation with PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd) was showcased with bio-methane fuel at the event.

According to Girish Wagh, head, Commercial Vehicles Business, Tata Motors, “Tata Motors has been at the forefront in pioneering latest technologies and providing smart city solutions in the commercial vehicle industry. 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.”

Commenting on the bio-methane bus development, Rajendra Petkar, Head - Power System, Engineering, Tata Motors, said, “The showcase of the Bio-Methane bus is a step towards developing environment friendly vehicles. Bio-methane 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, if this is trapped and used in engines, it reduces the net impact on environment and at the same time produces useful power.”