More encouragement needed

Tata Motors might not be able to make a mark with its cars but when it comes to commercial vehicles – especially trucks and buses, it does well. Lost currently in the Cyrus Mistry brouhaha, one news went unnoticed – the company recently launched the future of mass public transportation at its Pune facility and took another step in the direction of green technology and mobility solutions.

It launched the Starbus Electric 9m, Starbus Electric 12m and the Starbus Hybrid 12m range of buses which are designed, developed, powered by alternate fuels and made in India. The company also showcased the country's first Fuel Cell bus (12m), LNG Powered bus (12m), and an 18m Articulated bus.

The Hydrogen Powered Starbus Fuel Cell bus is a zero-emission mass transport solution, for inter-city commute and has been developed in partnership with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). Combining hydrogen gas and oxygen, the fuel cell produces electricity to power the electric motor, with water and heat as a byproduct. This is the first time an Indian manufacturer has ventured in this direction. In electric buses, it will have to compete with arch rival Ashok Leyland which is also getting ready with its all-electric bus, the first of its kind in India.

It is such green initiatives which have to be lauded and given more encouragement from the Govt but strangely what we always find is that these “green” vehicles actually cost more than the fuel guzzlers on account of higher duties and lack of sops. As India heads towards smart cities, such smart initiatives need to be brought to the forefront.