The Tata Starbus Fuel Cell concept bus is another path-breaking Tata Motors initiative on alternate fuels. Tata Starbus Fuel Cell Hydrogen concept bus has been developed with support from the Government of India’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Technology Development and Demonstration Programme. Such hybrid concepts will help to address energy security and environment concerns, for which government as well as the automobile industry is trying hard to address by coming out with new researches and findings.
Tata Motors demonstrated various alternate fuel technology capability concepts in the 11th Auto Expo 2012 at new Delhi, one of the them was the Tata Starbus Fuel Cell concept bus. In fuel cell technology, hydrogen is stored in compressed form. The fuel cell technology makes this bus completely clean and silent bus on-road. Hydrogen is stored in compressed form, which combines with oxygen to generate electricity which in turn charges a battery to power the vehicle’s motor, emitting only water vapour. This mechanism involves a fuel cell with gross peak power of 114HP, coupled with a motor with the peak power output of 250HP with motor speed from 600rpm to 2,100rpm and torque of 1,050Nm at 800rpm. The maximum speed of the Tata Starbus Fuel Cell Hydrogen concept bus is measured to 70kmph and gradeability is 17 per cent, which is very suitable for city application.
The Tata Starbus Fuel Cell is a zero emission transport solution for commuting within the city. This environment-friendly bus is ideal for stop and go applications, and is built on rear module low entry platform, equipped with a ramp facility, pneumatic door operations, and climate control features.
The bus comes with hydraulic power steering, pneumatic suspension and full air dual circuit SCAM brakes with ABS, and radial tubeless tyres. The instrument cluster and cabin controls are of world class design. Quick and effortless acceleration make the driving experience less tiresome for the driver.
Tata Starbus Fuel Cell by Tata Motors has the potential to revolutionise public transportation in India. The efficiency in a fuel cell bus is about 40-60% which is almost 3 times than that of conventional buses. This leads to more than 50% reduction in fuel costs per Km. Since hydrogen is a domestically produced fuel, there will be no dependency on foreign policies and expensive fuels. Fast refueling will also reduce the downtime of the bus.
Tata Starbus Fuel Cell has been developed with support from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under the technology development and demonstration programme.
