Green Special fuel. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas created a 100 cr. (USD 18.5mn) fund for research and development of hydrogen technologies. Other efforts include - The Green Initiative for Future Transport (GIFT), which aims to research, develop and demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, with goals and targets up to 2020. India is also one for the 16 founding members of the International Partnership on Hydrogen Economy set up in Washington D.C., on November 2003 and has also prepared a National Hydrogen Energy Road Map and Programme (2006) focusing on two and threewheelers. Few Indian vehicles manufactures like Mahindra and Tata Motors, in partnership with research institutes have developed prototypes of hydrogen vehicles to test their feasibility in the Indian market, says
the study. But again, there are surprises galore. For the first time, Indians can look forward to retrofit a kit that will make their cars hybrid—a combination of the internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The surprise comes in the form of Revolo. The Revolo plug-in, parallel hybrid solution transforms vehicles, allowing motor and engine to work seamlessly for a completely fuel efficient, green automobile. This innovation includes a clever battery management system, proprietary software, and mechanical assembly. Simply put, Revolo is a different view on hybrid cars, one that makes hybrid vehicles affordable for everyone. Now we got to see how soon we have it on the roads, how soon the government comes out with a policy allowing the use of this technology and how much would it
“Committed to India for the longer term, Michelin introduced the Energy XM2 tyre that offers a true balance of performance and consumes less fuel thanks to 22pc reduction in rolling resistance The alternative bridging in Energy XM2 reinforces the rigidity of tread blocks. With rigidity enhanced, the tread blocks move less, reducing the rate of tyre wear. The flexible micro resilient tread compounds adapts itself to the micro irregularities of the road surface thus guaranteeing excellent dry grip. The improved tread grooves to evacuate up to 20pc more water as well. All Michelin manufacturing plants around the world follow the ‘Michelin Manufacturing Way’ which has been initiated to bring about sustainable and uniform acceleration in the progress made by the plants in all performance areas including safety, consumption of resources, quality amongst others. All Michelin facilities are certified ISO 14001, which means that our operations adhere to the highest standards of safety and environmental protection.” Thom Clark, Managing Director, Michelin India Tyres Pvt. Ltd.
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cost so that people are keen to go green with this technology. The Motown India Green Special contains brief reports from the ‘Green Chapter’ of some selective automotive companies, both Indian and global and the Indian government. The following pages contain the different initiatives undertaken all over the globe towards a green revolution, one that will go a long way in reducing the carbon footprint.
“Around 65pc of all car journeys in India are less than 5km. If instead, bicycles were used, can you imagine the reduction in green house gases? Also all urban planning in the world now takes into account that such products must be integral to the mobility planning. Infrastructure is our biggest problem. It is pathetic in all Indian cities. Dedicated lanes have become mandatory in many world class cities. We have to do the same if we want to avoid the mess that some Chinese cities are in.” Shiv Inder Singh, Managing Director, Firefox Bikes Pvt. Ltd.
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