Indian Automotive History

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Automotive Engineering Training   

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Engine Control Systems

Automotive Control Systems

 
 

Fossil Fuels

Other Automotive Alternate Energy Options      

  Methane (CNG)

LPG

Biogas

Alcohol
 

NitroMethane

Fuel Cells

Hybrid Models

  

 

 
 

We have just experienced a century of automobile geniuses - those who have designed, automated, optimized and perfected every single part of the present transportation. Much of the system we enjoy today is the result of inventions that began around 1890 and were largely completed by 1910. As automobiles and electric lights replaced horse carriages and gas lamps, technologies that had prevailed for centuries became obsolete in a matter of years, making the 20th century the age of fossil fuels.

Today, technology in automobiles has become so complex that any further development are considered "Concepts". In this century, we will find geniuses concentrating their efforts on changing the propelling system of an automobile rather than just making them more comfortable. New Technologies that do not rely on fossil fuels (Petroleum and natural gas) will soon flourish and be included in vehicles on a large scale. According to several recent estimates, based on currently known oil reserves, oil production will peak within the first few years of this century. However, experts believe that a technology based on fossil fuels cannot be sustained for much longer. Even if additional reserves are discovered, the continued reliance on fossil fuels as a primary energy source over the coming years could release billions of tones of pollutants into the atmosphere. Thus, the development of pollution - free and efficient fuels are moving rapidly from the experimental stage to commercial reality.

The series of revolutionary new technologies such as wing turbines, solar cells, geothermal heat, biomass and ocean power are in about the same stage of development today as that of the internal combustion engines in 1890s. Although some of these clean and efficient technologies have already been developed and commercialized, bulky construction and the large expenses involved preclude their practical application in many cases.

As fossil fuel resources and legislation regarding pollution problems is further tightening worldwide, engineers are battling to come out with an alternate source of energy to the conventional Internal combustion engine Alternate fuels include LPG, CNG, ELECTRICITY, HYBRID, SOLAR ENERGY, HYDROGEN, FUEL CELLS, ALCOHOL - METHANOL, ETHANOL, BIOGAS, NITRO-METHANE, ETC....

Please click on the link on the Top of this page to learn more about the feasibility, commercial & Technical viability of these conversions to your existing vehicle from India point of view.

The major problem leading to research & Development of alternate sources of energy is "Pollution". Exhaust emission contains a number of gases. Oxygen and Water are harmless. Carbon Monoxide is poisonous. Other gases react with light to create Smog - These are called Hydrocarbons.

In 1960s, worldwide, and 1980s in India, before the legislation came into force, the conventional cars such as Ambassador and Fiat required 140 grams of fuel to travel one Km. Out of this about 7 grams of fuel which was unburned came out of the tail pipe to mix with atmosphere to form pollution.

Most Euro II compliant cars in India, require about 75 grams of fuel to travel one Km. Out of this about 2 grams of fuel comes out of the tail pipe mixing with atmosphere to form smog.

Combating Pollution lead to introduction of Catalytic converters in all new cars.

Yet another milestone in this direction is introduction of alternate sources of energy.

At top of the priority worldwide is now Water - Hydrogen powered vechiles.