Ashok Leyland converts 761 BEST buses to CNG

Cuts emissions and operating costs

BEST, pioneers in urban mass transportation and Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland, pioneers in CNG buses, have joined hands to implement a green initiative in BEST’s bus fleet. In a joint operation under the direct supervision of Ashok Leyland engineers in collaboration with a team of Automotive Manufacturers Pvt. Ltd (an Ashok Leyland Dealer) and BEST technical officers, 761 diesel BSII buses of BEST have been converted to CNG BSIII buses in a record time of 10 months.  It is the first instance of such mass scale conversion, by a vehicle manufacturer in a STU, offering environmental and economic benefits.  Emissions will be cut substantially, with reductions in CO, HC, NOx and PM.

Says Mr. Uttam Kobragade, General Manager, BEST: “This conversion activity has immensely benefited BEST in reducing emissions from our fleet.  It has also helped improve the operational efficiency, with lower operational costs”.

Since Ashok Leyland pioneered CNG buses in India in 1997, over 6,500 CNG powered buses from the Company are in operation in the country.