Tata Motors has teamed up with Indian
Space Research Organization, a.k.a ISRO, to develop India’s first fuel
cell bus. ISRO has designed a critical part of the fuel cell bus by
developing the storage and delivery procedure of liquid hydrogen. The
liquid hydrogen is required by the fuel cell to generate electricity.
The generated electricity will then power the bus’s electric motor.
Storage of hydrogen is a big challenge as the fuel is highly flammable.
Tata
Motors has teamed up with Indian Space Research Organization, a.k.a
ISRO, to develop India’s first fuel cell bus. ISRO has designed a
critical part of the fuel cell bus by developing the storage and
delivery procedure of liquid hydrogen. The liquid hydrogen is required
by the fuel cell to generate electricity. The generated electricity will
then power the bus’s electric motor. Storage of hydrogen is a big
challenge as the fuel is highly flammable.
To get over this issue, ISRO has used its
technology to store hydrogen, and has successfully implemented the same
on the Tata fuel cell StarBus. Fuel cell vehicles do not pollute the
environment like petrol or diesel powered vehicles. The by product of
hydrogen combining with oxygen in the fuel cell is water. So, a fuel
cell vehicle actually emits water from its tail pipe, instead of harmful
greenhouse gases like oxides of nitrogen and carbon.
This is a major reason as to why
automakers across the world are looking at fuel cell technology, as a
means of future mobility. At present, fuel cell technology is expensive
and costs need to come down by quite a bit for the mass production and
acceptance of fuel cell vehicles. The fuel cell powered Tata StarBus is
the same concept that was showcased at last edition of the Auto Expo.
The bus uses hydrogen stored in bottles,
placed in its roof. Tata Motors hasn’t revealed the exact launch time
frame for the fuel cell powered bus. Hydrogen filling stations are
absent in India. So, it will take some time for infrastructure to
develop in India, after which we may see fuel cell vehicles like the
Tata StarBus finally hit production. Until then, we’ll have to be
content with technological showcases like the one that ISRO and Tata
Motors pulled off recently.
Technical Specifications:
| Bus | LPO 1625 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus |
| Seating Capacity | 30 |
| Fuel Cell Power System | Hydrogen Fuel Cell |
| Fuel Cell Gross Peak Power | 114 HP |
| Air Compressor for Fuel Cell | Single Stage Twin Screw Type |
| Fuel System | Roof-mounted Hydrogen Cylinders; 4 nos. (205 ltr capacity each) |
| Total Useful Amount of Fuel | 14.5 kg |
| Electric Propulsion Motor | 2 Rear – AC Induction Motors with Summation Gearbox |
| Peak Power Output of Motor | 250 HP |
| Rated Speed | Idle: 600 rpm; Max.: 2100 rpm |
| Rated Torque | 1050 Nm at 800 rpm |
| Enerygy Storage System | Li – Ion Battery |
| Steering | Hydraulic Power Steering |
| Suspension | Pneumatic Suspension & Hydraulic Double Acting Telescopic-type Shock Absorber at Front & Rear |
| Brakes | Full Air Dual Circuit SCAM with ABS |
| Tyres | 11 R 22.5 Radial Tubeless; 7 nos. |
| Electrical System | System Voltage – 24 V DC; Battery – 2 x 12V, 150 Ah; Alternator – 75 Amps |
| Max. Speed | 70 kmph |
| Gradeability | 17% |
| Wheelbase | 6300 mm |
| Body Dimensions (LxWxH) | 12000 mm x 2600 mm x 3500 mm |
| Floor Height | 390 mm |
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