Mahindra goes the extra green mile with its Sustainable Mobility Solutions

- Dr Arun Jaura,
Chief Technology Officer,
Mahindra & Mahindra

Continuous growth in energy requirements in the face of depleting supply, stringent environmental regulations and high crude prices necessitate the development of alternative fuels and energy security. Moreover, implementing less polluting green fuel vehicle technologies in highly polluted and low-cost manufacturing countries provides optimal benefits.

As a responsible corporate citizen, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has built sustainable solutions into its long-term product plan. These solutions reduce pollution and can result from renewable sources, leading to the future of transportation.

Mahindra’s Bio-diesel fuel programme

The utilization of renewable bio-diesel as a fuel for transportation vehicles is one of the significant technologies being developed for automotive application. Bio-diesel is a fuel derived from natural oils, such as modified vegetable oils, tree plantation oils, animal fats and used vegetable oils. It can be used as a fuel or as an additive. As a result, the amount of bio-diesel used in the fuel is measured in grades. B100 is 100% bio-diesel and B10 is 10% bio-diesel.

M&M is one of the pioneers with respect to development of bio-diesel fuel in India. The company, in fact, identified the potential of bio-diesel as a commercial proposition with respect to diesel vehicles and tractors in 1999, when it began R&D activities related to the application of bio-diesel in vehicles for the first time in India. In 2001, it became one of the first automotive companies to set up a bio-diesel pilot plant to produce bio-diesel from Jatropha oil using indigeneously developed process technology.

Since then, through advanced research and development in addition to strategic partnerships, M&M has come a long way as far as its bio-diesel fuel programme is concerned. The company spearheaded two projects, one in conjunction with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur one of the world’s top technology institutes and the other with Indian Oil Corporation’s R&D Centre and Lubrizol.

In 2002, M&M became the first commercial OEM to initiate trials on Jatropha based bio-diesel in 2002. In February 2007, M&M launched Asia’s first 100% bio-diesel SUV and India’s first bio-diesel tractor. Three bio-diesel blends – B10, B20 and B100 – were incorporated in M&M’s Scorpio and Bolero vehicles. The Scorpio with indigenously developed CRDE technology is, in fact, the first Asian vehicle in its class to run on 100% bio-diesel. M&M also unveiled a 5 % bio-diesel tractor along with the utility vehicles, another first in the country.

These vehicles are currently undergoing rigorous field trials of 100,000 km in the most challenging conditions across the country. From the vast deserts of Rajasthan to the Himalayan mountain ranges in Kashmir and flooded terrain during the monsoon, the vehicles are being put through extremely rigorous tests. Mahindra’s dedicated team of engineers is currently working to design commercial-ready bio-diesel vehicles, which should be ready in the near future.

Use of bio-diesel fuel results in several advantages. Bio-diesel is a renewable source of energy and being produced from plants, forms a part of the CO2 cycle. As a result of this cycle, no fossil CO2 is released due to vehicle application which is a major advantage of B100 as it mitigates global warming. B100 also offers the most environmental benefits overall and replacing conventional diesel with B100 reduces several tailpipe emission pollutants. It also results in substantial reduction in unburnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxides and smoke. These pollutants are largely responsible for the urban smog which reduces lung function, increases asthma and can also aggravate chronic lung disease. B100 has also shown a 40% reduction in PM (particulate) soot emissions. Diesel PM can be harmful to the respiratory system and can even cause respiratory death.

An indirect benefit of bio-diesel fuel usage is rural employment. Bio-diesel plants like Jatropha and Karanje are agricultural crops which can grow on waste land and unused land. Thus, by encouraging co-operative farming, the rural economy can receive a boost. The produce can be collectively marketed for conversion to bio-diesel and bio-diesel plants can be established at rural areas where the crop is cultivated. This innovation is a vital link to a future rural based business model which can influence a new set of customers and result in upliftment of the rural sector.

Development of electric vehicles at Mahindra
Mahindra was one of the first companies in India to manufacture an electric vehicle. Development of the Bijlee, an all electric, zero emissions vehicle, began in 1996 and the vehicle was launched for sale in 1999. The Bijlee is an innovative ‘Kind to Man’ technology initiative from Mahindra & Mahindra’s alternate fuel programme. It is a zero emission electrically powered vehicle that runs on a 72 volts DC motor. The Bijlee’s 12 batteries allow the customer to do 80 km at a speed of 35 km/hour. With a replacement battery on board, the vehicle can easily give 120 kms. The electric vehicle has spacious interiors, with ample space for an entire family.

The Bijlee has no engine, gearbox radiator and no silencer, which makes it a virtually noise free vehicle. The vehicle gives quality output without choking the environment and is favoured by governments and institutions, which lay focus on conserving the environment. Since its creation, the Bijlee has been sold to state governments, corporate and educational institutions, amongst others. Currently, there are over 150 such vehicles operating across India in historical, natural and religious areas, corporate and university campuses and army establishments. Mahindra has fleets of Bijlee vehicles operating at sites of national importance such as the Taj Mahal, Vaishnodevi and others.

M&M sees great potential for electric vehicles in India and plans to take the Bijlee initiative further. In 2007, M&M was awarded the coveted Golden Peacock Eco - Innovation Award for the Bijlee. Golden Peacock Awards are the holy grail of corporate excellence in quality, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, innovation, training, environment management, ecological leadership and business leadership. They provide not only worldwide recognition and prestige but a competitive advantage in driving business in this tumultuous world.

The development of eco-friendly vehicles are a validation of M&M’s commitment to a cleaner environment, fuel efficiency and customer satisfaction. Moreover, these initiatives will also help in achieving the larger goal of energy security for the nation. One small step for Mahindra is ultimately a giant step for India and we have taken this forward very pro-actively through our initiative on Sustainable Mobility Solutions.