Tata Motors showcases India's first LNG bus

Mumbai: Tata Motors Ltd on Tuesday showcased the country’s first LNG (liquefied natural gas)-powered bus in Kerala. With India expected to see an increase in demand for LNG over the coming years, owing to increased demand from the power, fertilizer and automotive sectors, the government plans to move towards a gas-based economy, with Kerala as the first state to explore a trial run of LNG-driven technology, it said in a statement.

“As one of the country’s largest bus manufacturers, the Tata LNG bus is based on the Tata Motors understanding of the various transport authorities for public transport, creating a win-win situation for all stakeholders– for clean, safe, affordable and comfortable commuting. With LNG, we are not only “future-ready” but are extending that capability towards the energy security of our nation,” said Ravi Pisharody, executive director - commercial vehicles, Tata Motors.

Tata Motors claims to have pioneered compressed natural gas vehicles (CNG) in the country with a large fleet of buses running in various parts of the country. Tata Motors LNG powered Tata LPO1613 bus is lighter in weight compared to buses powered by conventional fuels, and has enhanced levels of payload.

State-owned companies Indian Oil Corp. and Petronet LNG Ltd. have partnered with Tata Motors Ltd. to run the buses fuelled by LNG, which is cleaner and cheaper than diesel, as the government makes a push for using gas for long haul transport.

The companies have started the test run of the first such bus in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala, in line with the government’s intent to create a gas-based economy, said a statement from the oil ministry. Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the initiative in the presence of Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.