Tata Motors showcases country's first bio-CNG bus at 'Urja Utsav'

The firm has designed and developed bio-methane engines for LCV, ICV, MCV

Homegrown Automaker Tata Motors has showcased country's first Bio-CNG (Bio-Methane) at a Bio-Energy program, called 'Urja Utsav'. The bus wasd launched by Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan.

Tata Motors has designed and developed bio-methane engines for light commercial vehicles (LCV), intermediate commercial vehicles (ICV) and medium commercial vehicles (MCV) buses. Displayed at the event were three engines, Tata LPO 1313 with 5.7 SGI NA which is BS-IV and IOBD II compliant.

The Tata LPO 1613, already in operation by Pune Municipal Transport Corporation, was also showcased with bio-methane fuel at the event, the company said in a statement, but it did not reveal the price of a bio-CNG bus. 

The buses were showcased at Urja Utsav, organised by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.

Commenting at the event, Girish Wagh, newly appointed Head at CV business, Tata Motors said, “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.”

Rajendra Petkar, head of power system engineering at Tata Motors, said the bio-methane bus is a step towards developing environment-friendly vehicles.

Biomethane is produced out of bio-degradable materials like kitchen waste. The gas, which gets produced out of natural degradation process, escapes into the atmosphere unused.

It can be noted that Tata Motors has pioneered the introduction of natural gas vehicles (CNG) in the country, for close to two decades.