Mahindra introduces Hy-Alfa hydrogen-powered three-wheeler, plans demo fleet
It's anything but uncommon to see three-wheeled vehicles running around the streets in India. Generally, though, these machines are either human-powered or they run on gasoline, often using highly polluting two-stroke powerplants. Mahindra, a major vehicle manufacturer that operates in a number of industries in India, has its sights set on a cleaner, more environmentally friendly alternative with a rickshaw that burns compressed hydrogen gas in an internal combustion engine.Introduced at the World Hydrogen Technologies Convention 2009 in Delhi, Mahindra says its Hy-Alfa hydrogen-powered three-wheeler is the first of its kind. According Dr. Mathew Abraham, General Manager at the Mahindra & Mahindra R&D Center:
It's certainly true that tailpipe emissions from this hydrogen-burning three-wheeler are incredibly clean. Mahindra and its partners plan to launch a demo fleet of 15 units next year in New Delhi. Full press release after the jump.The Hy-Alfa... runs on nothing but compressed hydrogen gas and is incredibly engineered to run with absolutely zero emissions, which makes it a pleasure to drive on congested city roads. Hydrogen is, in fact, the technology and fuel of tomorrow and is the long term solution to pollution, energy security & CO2 emission related concerns.
[Source: Mahindra via Indian Autos Blog]
PRESS RELEASE:
Mahindra showcases the Hy-Alfa at World Hydrogen Technologies Convention 2009
First vehicle of its kind in the world runs on compressed hydrogen gas with zero emissions
August 26, 2009, New Delhi: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), one of India's leading automotive majors, today showcased its hydrogen-powered Alfa 3-wheeler vehicle, the Hy-Alfa, at the World Hydrogen Technologies Convention 2009 held in the Capital.
"The Hy-Alfa is the first vehicle of its kind in the world. It runs on nothing but compressed hydrogen gas and is incredibly engineered to run with absolutely zero emissions, which makes it a pleasure to drive on congested city roads. Hydrogen is, in fact, the technology and fuel of tomorrow and is the long term solution to pollution, energy security & CO2 emission related concerns," said Dr. Mathew Abraham, General Manager (R&D), Mahindra & Mahindra R&D Centre.
This hydrogen powered ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle is available in both passenger (3 – seater) and cargo versions. Mahindra has collaborated with world-renowned R&D centres and Indian partners to enhance research on this futuristic technology. Recently, Mahindra, along with other partners has signed an MOU with UNDIO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) India and ICHET (International Centre for Hydrogen Energy and Technology) Turkey to carry out a 15 Hy-Alfa Demo project next year at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
There is an acute need for Hydrogen powered vehicles today, owing to several advantages. Hydrogen is a renewable source of energy with near zero emissions of CO, HC, CO2 and PM. It is clean and lean burning resulting in better fuel efficiency, avoids engine de-carbonizing and does not emit any greenhouse gases. Faster dispersion also implies that it is safe for the health and the environment.
Mahindra's Sustainable Mobility Solutions illustrate M&M's commitment to the research, product development, and advancement of the most cutting-edge technologies to bring about a cleaner and greener future.
Pollution related health concerns, global warming, climate change and energy security concerns related to the depletion and distribution of non-renewable, conventional fuel options have pushed alternate energy and propulsion technologies to the forefront of national agendas. Utilizing domestic and international strategic partnerships, Mahindra's R&D team works to bring the most advanced and futuristic technologies to India. Mahindra has worked sustainable solutions into its long-term product plan. These solutions reduce pollution and can be found from renewable sources; this is the future of transportation.
Covering a wide range of advanced powertrain solutions, Mahindra is displaying different platforms of drivable full hybrid vehicles, micro (start/stop) hybrid vehicles, bio-fuel vehicles, an electric passenger vehicle, a hydrogen combustion engine vehicle and many recyclable materials and reusable technologies.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 9:43AM (8/27/2009)
Everyone who knows anything about H2 understands that natural gas is by far the cheapest source material for steam reforming into H2. In fact, it is MANY times cheaper and more efficient than electrolyzing water.
People are tired of their addiction to big oil with their "gas" stations, so they are looking to home-charged BEVs (ultimately with home rooftop solar) which is MUCH cheaper, more efficient, safer, and won’t pollute the atmosphere with leaking H2.
The fine folks who brought us Oil are panicking and engaging in this full-court-press to try to get the conversation to turn away from BEVs and back to H2EVs and ABG is doing their part.
Big Oil’s H2 panic press it's NOT just about keeping their customers addicted to one of THEIR products, it's about regaining access to $Billions in taxpayer funded research and a $Trillion for a taxpayer funded infrastructure.
H2 is about ONE thing... using the power of Gov't to steal and then redistribute OUR tax money to giant corporations! This gov’t-business-special interest partnership is called crony capitalism aka Progressivism.
Crony Capitalism/Progressivism empowers politicians with kick-back campaign contributions. It empowers special interest groups with political clout and enriches them with taxpayer money. It enriches corporations because the politicians kill their competition with regulation, taxes and favoritism so only the giant, rich corporations survive. Crony Capitalism also known as Progressivism is a 3-way marriage made in HELL where We, the sheeple pay all the bills and bear all the suffering!
Crony Capitalism/Progressivism is why we are even talking about H2 because if we had the TRULY FREE MARKET, simple economics would have forced us off oil and into BEVs 40 years ago!
(progressives hate the truth so let the whining, name calling and personal attacks begin)
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paulwesterberg 10:18AM (8/27/2009)
Obama has made some mistakes, but he did try to do the right thing and cut hydrogen funding.
I am a progressive and there is nothing progressive about hydrogen.
gorr 11:05AM (8/27/2009)
Im interrested to buy even if it's a ugly and small truck. At least it has an exclusivity, it is conpatible with hydrogen gas that can be made at home for 5 cents or 10 cents a gallon equivalent ( 1 kilo ). It can surrelly be powered too by natural gas until small hydrogen machine begin to appear on the market.
Don't believe the big oil employees that write here promoting confusion while they cash huge money from toxic waste and regulations and laws and subsidies to gm, toyota, nissan managers and share holders and politicians and journalists and madscientists in subsidized laboratories and universities and c.i.a experimental third contries dead camps like zone 51, irak, afgasnistan, britain, iran, canada ,etc.
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LizR 11:38AM (8/27/2009)
New Dehli, India is not remotely like the US. Many, many homes do not have electicity and the idea of roof-top solar is ridiculous. Little trucks like this one are all over the place on the packed streets. The challenge of energy in India cannot be compared with the US. Mahindra is doing the smart thing in bringing out demonstration fleets of the same vehicle using multiple fuels and powertrains. A real comparison in the marketplace will show which alternatives are right for that market.
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Chris M 6:39PM (8/27/2009)
The smarter thing would be to use compressed natural gas instead, as it is also clean burning, would give more than twice the range, costs less, and since H2 fuel is made from natural gas at 70% efficiency, a CNG vehicle would use less natural gas!
john 12:10PM (8/27/2009)
This resembles a Zap Xebra converted to hydrogen. LOL
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Chris M 6:43PM (8/27/2009)
It's even less practical than a Zap Xebra. Due to the bulky nature of H2 gas and the inefficiency of internal combustion engines, the range is similar. Due to the high cost of H2 storage tanks, the cost is higher. Due to the high cost of H2 fuel, the per mile fuel cost is about 10x greater than the electric Xebra!
Serge 12:37PM (8/27/2009)
This vehicle targets the most price sensitive market segment. Wait till potential discover how much it costs to operate this underpowered hydrogen ICE three-wheeler. Makes much more sense to power it with CNG directly.
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jake 4:24PM (8/27/2009)
Yes, this whole thing is bunk without mentioning cost. They are just running a very small fleet of 15, so I think this is just more greenwashing.
Chris M 6:44PM (8/27/2009)
Yep, greenwashing, and no doubt funded by a government grant.
XYZ 7:35PM (8/27/2009)
Hey Greggi,
You were right! Hydrogen cars smashed the price barrier - can't wait til 2015 when this car arrives at my local dealership and a refuel station next to Delhi (a bit more than 437 miles away).
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