German biofuel tech for Indian cars

India and Germany are set to cooperate in engine technology for alternative fuels, given the rising fuel prices and pressure on fossil fuels. German companies have developed engines which can run on bio-fuel. Now, with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Verband der Automobileindustrie (VDA) , technology transfer is set to become a reality.

India may also benefit by getting technology for more fuel-efficient engines, especially in case of Diesel. Speaking at an Indo-German symposium organized by the ministry of heavy industries on Saturday, VDA president Bernd Gottschalk said that India has the potential to produce 100m tonnes of bio-diesel. It is essential for the two countries to cooperate in the field of both biofuel compatible engines and use of biofuel, he added. The two countries should cooperate in the field of clean diesel, better propulsion technologies and harmonies technical regulations.

According to German Parliamentary state secretary Ulrich Kasparick, it is possible to convert 35% of all transport to biofuel. Germany will also help India to transfer technology that will substantially bring down the levels of sulphur in D. Germany has already started with a 6% biofuel mix to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

Union heavy industries minister Santosh Mohan Dev said “India and Germany need to double bilateral trade from the current e5bn to e10bn by ’10 and for this, cooperation in the field of automobiles is welcome” .

India will also be exploring the possibilities of using hydrogen-powered fuels and other fuels as an alternative to fossil fuels given India’s rising oil import bill, he added.