Auto major Tata Motors Limited’s (TML) fuel cell bus prototype is undergoing latest changes for further improvement.
The company is watching the best of global models to come up with improved technologies and efficiency, according to a top official.
TML is focused on coming up with new products in the commercial vehicle segment, says Girish Wagh, Head, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles Business Unit.
Speaking to The Hindu here, Mr. Girish said, “Advanced engineering work is gong on to improve our fuel cell bus. We tied up with ISRO to develop the bus. The bus generates hydrogen on board and it is zero emission vehicle.”
TML is understood to be checking out the latest models of hybrid and electric vehicles, including those developed by technology major Tesla.
Tie-up with ISRO
Tata Motors had tied up with ISRO in 2006 to make use of their cryogenic expertise for the development of fuel cell buses. As per the information available, a Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) has already been developed and the bus tested successfully. Now, the joint entity is working on advanced engineering on the system. The idea is to make the FCPS bus more affordable and efficient.
Electric buses
This apart, the company is also focused on CNG, LNG, and electric commercial vehicles.
Buoyed by the demand from most of the Indian States for electric buses, the company has intensified its efforts in this direction.
“We have already tested our electric buses in different terrains in the States such as Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. We are in talks with a few other States to supply the buses. Fifteen buses have already been supplied to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and we are awaiting their commercial operation,” Mr. Girish said. The company has lined up ₹1,500 crore investment to improve technologies and new products in the current fiscal.
Prominent among them include the making of Tata vehicles Bharat State-VI compliant (BS) in terms of emissions, developing new products, and improving the current ones.
