Cummins India drives on gas

PUNE: The aim was to bring down costs by 40 per cent and this was done through re-engineering an existing base engine platform and de-specifying it.
That is the strategy used by Cummins India Ltd (CIL) for its natural gas engine range, developed under licence from Cummins Westport Inc (CWI) for the B series engine. While one bus is currently plying in the National Capital Region (NCR), CIL will launch the B series CNG engine, called the B Gas international, in September, in three power ratings of 150, 190 and 235 hp, for automotive use.
The India location is to be the global supplier for the rest of the world, excluding the US.Since the use of CNG engines is in a 40:60 ratio in the US and the rest of the world, the US primarily using 280-320 hp CNG engines, the opportunity is obviously greater in non-US markets. Besides, having de-specified the B series engine, it cannot be marketed in the US, where these specifications are applicable.
"The emerging markets of China and India are the big opportunity for the CNG engine. We are also looking at countries where CNG is available, which is in the Middle East, Iran, Bangladesh and Indonesia. For the immediate future, we will supply the Chinese market from India," Rampraveen Swaminathan, vice president, powergen business unit, CIL, said.
He added that in 2006, they could move the B series to the powergen business. For the present, it will be only for automotive use. CIL soft launched its 575 kilowatt engine last month in Ahmedabad on the 38 litre platform and is currently evaluating the possibilities of other products.
"Globally, Cummins Powergen is investing in the development of gas-based engines. The 575 kw engine we have developed is for the world market and in the first quarter of the next fiscal, we will launch the 2 megwatt natural gas based engine. This is being built in the UK for the global market. In the next two quarters,we will announce the launch of other products which will be built in India for global markets," Mr Swaminathan said.
For automotive applications, CIL is working with bus body and builders, including Tata Motors and Sutlej, who are jointly working on engine development. The other players in the segment are Ashok Leyland and JCBL, a joint venture between a Delhi-based and a Chinese company.
For CIL, opportunities for gas engines in the automotive segment are three fold: the inter-city bus service between
cities which are at a distance of upto 340 kms; the public transport segment especially the dedicated high capacity buses which the Delhi government is eyeing, and the private bus fleets of corporates. Mr Swaminathan pointed to Pune, which has a 3500 bus fleet run by the major corporates, which could be targeted.
Mr Swaminathan pointed to some of the design changes made in CNG buses plying, including moving the gas cylinders to the top of the bus, from the bottom. This brings in greater safety, he said. Another factor, that of lack of speed in the existing 110 hp CNG bus, which normally runs at 40 km per hour (kmph), Mr Swaminthan said the new buses are capable of going at speeds between 70-80 kmph.
The April 1, 05 deadline for the implementation of Bharat Stage III emission norms in 11 major cities in the country is expected to boost the segment. Mr Swaminathan said they would prefer the drive towards gas to be on the basis of economics rather than regulations, even as he declined to comment on the prices of the engines to be launched.