S. Vishnu Sharma
Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India signed a MoU with Ashok Leyland and IIT Madras for an e-mobility pilot.
As per the Memorandum-of-Understanding (MoU), Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India, IIT Madras and Ashok Leyland will run an electric bus (e-bus) pilot to support sustainable in-campus commuting by IITM’s students and staff.
The e-bus, which will incorporate Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ innovative flash-charging technology – Grid-eMotionTM Flash, will be provided by India’s largest bus manufacturer, Ashok Leyland.
Hitachi ABB joins hands with Ashok Leyland and great IITM
IITM will host the infrastructure required to operate the flash-charging system for the e-bus.
Managing director of Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India N. Venu said they need to have all hands on deck – industry, academia and policymakers to develop a strong and reliable local ecosystem to support the Indian electric vehicle (EV) revolution.
Managing director of Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India further said with sound policy levers in place, this partnership – engaging some of the finest industry and academic minds in India – creates a truly sustainable framework for e-mobility.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India is delighted to be partnering with Ashok Leyland and IITM to provide a zero-emissions mass public transportation bus system through their award-winning technology, localized for the Indian market, said Venu, MD of Hitachi ABB Power Grids.
Chief Technology Officer at Ashok Leyland Dr. N. Saravanan said as pioneers in the bus segment, they are proud to partner on yet another innovative solution in the e-bus segment.
Combination of their robust buses with electric propulsion technology and flash charging from Hitachi ABB Power Grids, can be the answer to the need for sustainable public transportation across the country.
‘This latest alliance between Hitachi ABB Power Grids, Ashok Leyland and IITM will further help us stay at the forefront of embedding innovative and indigenous technologies to nurture the smart e-mobility ecosystem in India.’
IIT Madras director Professor Bhaskar Ramamurthi said the development of India’s e-mobility charging infrastructure and increased deployment of e-buses is key to meeting the demand for sustainable transport solutions across India’s rural and urban areas.
Professor Ramamurthi said they hope to study and understand how the right technology can enable an efficient transport system without damaging the environment.
‘We are delighted to have partnered with ABB Hitachi Power Grids in India, Ashok Leyland who are the best in the industry for this endeavor.’
Smart e-mobility is at a nascent stage in India. While India’s government is striving to scale up EV adoption to 30 percent by 2030, the mass public transport segment is largely untouched.
For bus operators, the switch to electric has previously presented challenges.
Also read ‘Click here to know what are the 10 best medical colleges in Mumbai‘
That is because with battery-operated buses it is difficult to maximize passenger load carrying capacity and running time while making the whole operation economically viable.
An e-bus with flash-charging technology can solve that problem while improving the quality of life through reducing pollution in densely populated urban areas.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ Grid-eMotionTM Flash technology
Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ innovative flash-charging system quickly tops up the battery while passengers get on and off the bus.
On arterial roads, an e-bus with this solution can reduce the need to take the vehicle out of service for recharging every few hours or having a replacement bus ready.
This helps minimize the size of the fleet while increasing passenger carrying capacity.
The technology can save as much as 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide on a line covering 600,000 kilometers per year and offer operating cost savings of 30 percent versus an equivalent diesel-transit system.
This brings business value to operators while enabling a low-carbon society.
About Hitachi ABB Power Grids Ltd
Hitachi ABB Power Grids is global technology leader with a combined heritage of almost 250 years, employing around 36,000 people in 90 countries.
Headquartered in Switzerland, the business serves utility, industry and infrastructure customers across the value chain, and emerging areas like sustainable mobility, smart cities, energy storage and data centers.
With a proven track record, global footprint and unparalleled installed base, Hitachi ABB Power Grids balances social, environmental and economic values.
It is committed to powering good for a sustainable energy future, with pioneering and digital technologies, as the partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid.