India to experiment with Hithane to power its vehicles

A two-year project that will enable light commercial vehicles, cars and auto rickshaws to run on a blend of hydrogen and CNG was launched on Wednesday. An MoU was inked by the ministry of new & renewable energy (MNRE), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Indian Oil Corp for the purpose.

This project would develop an optimal mix of hydrogen and CNG (called hithane) by experimenting with up to 30 per cent hydrogen mixed into CNG.

Other than Indian Oil, the project involves five vehicle manufacturers: Ashok Leyland, Bajaj Auto, Eicher Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors.

SIAM secretary general Dilip Chenoy said that world over, vehicle makers are looking for ways to use hydrogen fuel in new products, but this project seeks to develop for the first time ever a CNG-hydrogen mixture for use in the existing on-road fleet of vehicles with minimum modifications in the engine and engine components.

But why hithane? Hithane not only reduces dependence on foreign oil but also cuts down on nitrous oxide emissions and helps achieve better fuel efficiency.

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