Press Releases 2005

 U.S.-India Partnership Powers a Hydrogen-Fueled Three-wheeler in India

1 September 2005

New Delhi - For the first time on public display in India, a three-wheeler vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel will be exhibited today at the annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

The vehicle is one of two such demonstration models in the world. Its conventional combustion engine was converted to use hydrogen fuel through an American-Indian business alliance forged by the United States-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP), a program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The result is a milestone in U.S.-India energy cooperation, and international efforts to mitigate climate change through a future hydrogen economy.

Energy Conversion Devices of Troy, Michigan, and Bajaj Auto Limited of Pune, India, worked together to make the prototypes a reality. The U.S. company is a world leader in renewable technologies and Bajaj is the largest manufacturer of three-wheeler taxis in India.

Three-wheeler taxis form the biggest chunk of public transport vehicles in India. A move toward a cleaner alternative fuel would mitigate air pollution and negative effects of climate change.

The vehicles perform at levels equal to those of conventional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) three-wheelers.  Next steps for the hydrogen transportation initiative include exploring fuel availability, fueling infrastructure, and safety codes and standards that would raise performance to the level of a gasoline-fueled vehicle.

The other existing demonstration vehicle is now on the streets of Troy, Michigan, near its American developer. The Indian model is housed at the Bajaj headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra.

Another key partner in the effort is the U.S. Department of Energy. USAID provided funding of $500,000 to support the alliance.