Engine tech

Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., signed an agreement with its long-term partner Greaves Cotton in January 2018 to develop a new generation of powertrain applications. As per the agreement, Greaves Cotton was entrusted with the task of developing new generation powertrains to meet BSVI norms for diesel and alternate fuel engines like CNG, petrol and LPG. On the occasion, Nagesh Basavanhalli, MD & CEO, Greaves Cotton Limited, remarked that the market would require to be ready for a technological, regulatory and business model disruption by 2020. In view of the regulatory changes, BSVI especially, Greaves Cotton has begun investing in new technologies. It has started to build capabilities to meet the demand for fuel agnostic, future-ready solutions. These would help to serve last mile transportation market needs for OEMs like Piaggio. Looking at the threewheeler segment uptick in the third quarter of the financial year FY201718, Greaves Cotton is claimed to be banking on its single cylinder diesel engine technology. It is also claimed to be banking on its CNG engines. The 400 cc CNG engine especially, which is claimed to have witnessed a 100 per cent growth in the first half of FY201718 compared to the same period last year. Partnering with Greaves Cotton since entering India in 1999, Piaggio has procured more than five million engines. To meet BSVI emission regulations, Piaggio, there is little doubt, will bank on its long-standing partner.