Powertrains change
The third edition of ICAT convention focused on new powertrain technologies.
The third edition of ICAT convention focused on new technologies that are changing powertrains.
Offering quality services like design and engineering, research and development, test and validation, consultancy, regulation formulation, and training and calibration to the automotive industry, the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) held the third edition of its convention recently at Delhi. The convention focused on new technologies influencing powertrains. A wide range of topics were discussed upon. The industry experts present at the convention touched upon alternate fuel options, including the readiness of the manufacturers and suppliers for the roll-out of BSVI emission standards by April 2020. Averred Dinesh Tyagi, Director, ICAT, “Electric vehicles are the way forward, and alternate fuel options such as fuel cell should also be considered.” “Given the fact that the raw materials for the manufacture of Lithium-Ion batteries are limited in terms of availability in India, Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are a better bet,” he expressed.
Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles
A panel discussion on FCEVs had one panelists opine that they would make a viable option for a country like India because of factors like the limited range of EVs. Identifying range anxiety in India as a crucial factor hindering the penetration of electric vehicles, the panel unanimously agreed upon the fact that better emission norms for existing diesel vehicles and hydrogen-powered vehicles would come into play sooner than later. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, it was discussed, would also play a critical role in the reduction of emissions. On the subject of design, P Balendran,
Executive Director, MG Motor India Ltd., averred that the Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have come a long way to improve their designs in a bid to meet the next generation demand. “Not only advanced designs, the future of vehicles will comprise of electric and autonomous vehicles,” he said. Stating that his remark could be out of context for a powertrain technology convention, Balendran mentioned, that electronics is taking care of the driving dynamics, and would result in lower number of accidents. “The new mobility solutions would take time to mature to the requisite EV standards,” he quipped.
The EV ecosystem
Mentioned R K Malhotra, Director, Research and Development, Indian Oil, that one of the biggest deterrents faced by the CV industry going electric was the subdued market pull. This, he mentioned, is because of the high initial battery costs. Drawing attention to the slack in demand due to the severe lack of charging infrastructure, Malhotra said that the challenges faced by the CV industry in sourcing raw materials needs to be addressed. To do this, efforts should be made to enter into a free trade agreement with lithium-rich or lithium-controlling countries, Malhotra stated. “Only a proper ecosystem for electric vehicles, as well as for alternate fuels could guarantee the rise of a sustainable mobility solution,” he added.
ICE components
Carrying forward the concerns on availability of raw materials and sources raised by Malhotra, the panel went on to deliberate upon the improvement of specific components in Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). Bringing in a perspective from the ancillary side of the business at the ICAT convention, startup companies like Zygor Energy Systems created a buzz. It did so by showcasing a spark plug, which it claimed, ensures superior combustion. Inder Sharma, Founder and Director, Zygor Energy, revealed that the better combustion rate of the spark plug is due to the presence of multiple electrodes in a spiral-like arrangement. “This arrangement results in a larger ignition area, and ensures complete combustion of the fuel-air mixture,” he quipped. Of the opinion that OEMs and component manufacturers reduce the postcombustion emissions instead of tackling the root cause, Sharma said, that the spark plugs his company offers, has the capability to reduce emissions at the combustion stage itself. Sharma announced that they running a pilot project in Delhi with positive results thus far. According to the tests conducted by Zygor Energy in the US, Sharma informed, the spark plug lasted for over one lakh kilometres.
Stating that a new intake valve his company has developed could be retrofitted to heavy commercial vehicles to lower emissions significantly, Sharma mentioned that Zygor was driving projects to remove rangeanxiety of electric vehicles. He cited that it was possible to run an electric vehicle from Delhi to Mumbai on a single charge, albeit with bare minimum losses, and a focus on regeneration of electricity. Claiming that the company is working to develop a mass-produced vehicle with an infinite range. Similar to rangeextended electric vehicle system, Sharma added that there would
be two sets of batteries where one battery unit will run the vehicle, and the other unit will charge itself. The technology is however at a nascent stage, and is expected to take time until it is production ready.
Testing infra
The ICAT conclave also touched upon startups, and how they could test their mobility solutions at its test facility in Manesar. Built with an investment of Rs.1,100 crore, the ICAT facility at Manesar is capable of testing premium products and components in line with the transition to EVs.
It is also capable of powertrain, NVH, components, fatigue, photometry, tyre and wheel, passive safety and EMC testing. Devesh Pareek, Manager, Electronics, ICAT, explained that an electric powertrain could be made more efficient with the use of advanced electronics. “ICAT can help integrate it into the powertrains, and has the capability to update electronics such as controllers which do most of the decision-making in a vehicle without major modifications. Regeneration of energy such as regenerative braking, and more,” he stated. On regenerative braking, Pareek drew attention to an experiment ICAT conducted at one of its test facilities. He urged that in case of heavy vehicles, like the ones used for public transportation, provisions for regenerative braking should be imperative in today’s scenario. “Only a rugged electronic system can withstand the high current values during the regeneration of electricity, and similarly the battery needs to be able to withstand high current flow over a short cycle as well,” he explained.
Outlook
Sameer Jindal, Director, MG Motors India, spoke about electric vehicle trends in China. He called for a need to think on the lines of China. Citing heavy incentives given by the Chinese Government and the local government bodies to ensure penetration of e-mobility solutions in the China market, Jindal, touching upon public transportation and the role of commercial vehicles, said that the future of automobiles is going to be replete with big changes. Putting the spotlight on new and sustainable powertrain designs that are expected to propel autos of the future, the third ICAT conclave gave the message that there is a need to build sustainable mobility solutions and minimise carbon footprint. It also pointed at the changing nature of powertrains.