Saving the earth, one engine at a time

Rising fuel prices and the toll that carbon emissions take on the environment have proved to be a shot in the arm for green technology in automobiles. For consumers, going green is no longer just about cutting fuel costs, but it is about adopting new technologies that reduce costs and fuel emissions alike.

Consumers are increasingly opting for cleaner and cheaper fuel alternatives like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Hemant Vashisth, a media professional who just purchased his first car said, “I bought the Swift LXi with a petrol engine that can be alternated with CNG. With petrol prices hitting the roof, this provides me better mileage. CNG filling stations have also increased in the city which makes my choice a convenient one. I mostly switch to CNG for long drives as I don't want to add to the pollution that is already prevalent in the city.”
 
CNG vehicles have made major inroads in the city's transportation sector backed by government support and increase in refilling stations. “CNG demand is going up in the city especially when it comes to the transportation sector. Toyota Etios and Hyundai Santro with CNG variants are selling like hotcakes and have captured a large share of the private cab market. But for personal use, sales of CNG cars are confined to city limits as there are fewer CNG stations outside the city,” says Shrinivas Pawar, Chairman, Sharayu Group.

Green technology vehicles, like hybrid cars, are a viable option usually alternating between petrol and battery power but the high prices keep them out of the consumers' reach. Sharing his  enthusiasm for hybrid cars Pawar explains, “Government should promote hybrid cars by reducing import duties so that they are accessible. Hybrid cars provide excellent mileage and the battery charges when the car is on the move. Especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic situation, these hybrid cars are the perfect solution  to keep the city clean and keep the rising fuel prices in check.”

Meanwhile, Mahindra Reva, India's first electric car is already running in 24 countries and has sold 4,000 cars so far in the Indian market. Speaking about the challenges and the future of electric cars Pawan Sachdeva, general manager, Mahindra Reva
explains “The technology is new, so the awareness has to grow for people to overcome their psychological block and go ahead and buy it. Also as volumes grow, the price will come down. Currently, 70% of the components have to be uniquely customized for it.” With tax-sops to promote environment-friendly vehicles and proposed setting up of a 'National Mission for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles', Sachdeva feels that the time is right for green cars to take off in India.