Date:14/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/14/stories/2008041452170300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

MTC to experiment with LPG buses

J. Malarvizhi and Priscilla Jebaraj

U.S. firm enters into pilot programme

CHENNAI: Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is set to experiment with clean energy, following a memorandum of understanding with a Texas-based firm that re-powers diesel engines with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) capabilities.

American company Emissions Solutions Inc. from Texas has entered into a pilot programme with the Tamil Nadu Government and the MTC to convert the heavy diesel engines used by the Chennai city buses to clean LPG, U.S. Consul-General David T.Hopper said at an event here on Friday.

MTC officials confirmed that discussions about the pilot project were on. Transport Secretary Debendranath Sarangi said: “Four used engines will have to be sent to the workshop in the United States. The engines will be re-powered and shipped back. They will be fitted for a trial run. If successful, the application will be widened depending on the availability of LPG.”

According to Mr. Hopper, if the results of the pilot programme were satisfactory, the Texas-based company could manufacture the engines in India through a joint venture. Mr. Hopper emphasised that clean and renewable energy was an important area for Indo-U.S. contact.

As early as 2002, the United States Department of Energy had brought an LPG Autogas Delegation as part of the Clean Cities International project.

According to the trip report, “State government of Tamil Nadu Transport Secretary Karpoora Sundara Pandiyan offered to utilise two of the 10 buses to be delivered shortly to its transit agency for an LPG bus demonstration project.”

It pointed out that “Transit agencies are very interested in LPG bus demonstration projects but require convenient fuelling sites to assure that the programmes are viable.”