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U.S.-India Partnership Powers a Hydrogen-Fueled
Three-wheeler in India
September 01, 2005
NEW DELHI -- For the first time on public display
in India, a three-wheeler vehicle powered by
hydrogen fuel will be exhibited today at the annual
convention of the Society of Indian Automobile
Manufacturers.
The vehicle is one of two such demonstration
models in the world. Its conventional combustion
engine was converted to use hydrogen fuel through an
American-Indian business alliance forged by the
United States-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP),
a program of the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID). The result is a
milestone in U.S.-India energy cooperation, and
international efforts to mitigate climate change
through a future hydrogen economy.
Energy Conversion Devices of Troy, Michigan, and
Bajaj Auto Limited of Pune, India, worked together
to make the prototypes a reality. The U.S. company
is a world leader in renewable technologies and
Bajaj is the largest manufacturer of three-wheeler
taxis in India.
Three-wheeler taxis form the biggest chunk of
public transport vehicles in India. A move toward a
cleaner alternative fuel would mitigate air
pollution and negative effects of climate change.
The vehicles perform at levels equal to those of
conventional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
three-wheelers. Next steps for the hydrogen
transportation initiative include exploring fuel
availability, fueling infrastructure, and safety
codes and standards that would raise performance to
the level of a gasoline-fueled vehicle.
The other existing demonstration vehicle is now
on the streets of Troy, Michigan, near its American
developer. The Indian model is housed at the Bajaj
headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra.
Another key partner in the effort is the U.S.
Department of Energy. USAID provided funding of
$500,000 to support the alliance.
Photo Credit: Bajaj Auto Limited
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