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This bus purrs!
Shakti S. Singh
The Instrument Design Development Centre of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, has developed a bus with no noise and no vehicular emission. The all-electric and hybrid-assist vehicle project was conceptualised and backed by the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas through the Oil Industry Development Board. The project is a small step towards developing indigenous technology that can reduce dependence on petroleum for public transport.
The IIDC team led by project chief Prof. R. Arockiasamy of Eco-friendly Transportation Group, at IIT Delhi, has developed an Electric Vehicle or EV which is free of vibration, noise, heat and pollution. The team has developed two versions of the vehicle: all-electric and hybrid-assist or silent engine generator bus, which has a top speed of 60 km per hour. The EV uses electric energy stored on board in batteries and its called 'Battery Electric Vehicle' . The vehicle has zero tail pipe exhaust emission and is popularly called 'Zero Emission Vehicle'. In addition to the battery source, energy is supplied from another source such as engine generator turbine and fuel cells. This vehicle is termed as Hybrid EV. The cost of running a Hybrid EV is just Rs 2 per km, which is quite cheap compared to a diesel driven vehicle.
Tata Motors donated the Electric Test Vehicle 'Bus' and it comprised a specially designed electric motor manufactured by Crompton Greaves. The manufacture of a similar zero emission bus on the same line will cost about Rs 21 lakh compared to Rs 19 lakh for a CNG driven bus.
According to Arockiasamy, a 'Mid' vehicle that is best suited to operate in these conditions can clock a distance of 70 km to 100 km in a day in one charge. If the vehicle is charged on a daily basis, it can run for at least 250 km. The Hybrid EV is equipped with battery plus onboard charge system, which can be recharged through CNG, diesel or IPG. It can thus be operated throughout the day. Moreover, the bus has a lifespan of 20-25 years. The minimum lifespan of a battery is about four to five years depending on the usage. The most important aspect is that fuel saved on the Hybrid EV is at least 30 per cent compared to a conventional vehicle."
The Eco-Friendly Transportation Group plans to rope in IIT Delhi and OIDB to patent this technology.
[2 May 2005]
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