New Delhi: Tractors running on bio-CNG could help cut down annual fuel cost for a user by around 55%, union transport minister Nitin Gadkari said on Friday.
Gadkari was speaking at the launch of India’s first CNG tractor here.
“This tractor results in a direct saving of 55% in fuel cost,” Gadkari said. “It doesn’t emit any noxious fumes and is 85% less pollution compared to a diesel-run tractor,” he added.
The tractor has been converted from diesel to CNG jointly by Rawmatt Techno Solutions and Tomasetto Achille India. Gadkari said that such retrofitting centres can be set up in each district of the country. He added that the maintenance cost of such tractors is also less.
“This CNG based tractor addresses the concern of both transport based and agriculture based pollution,” he said.
Speaking along the same line, Gadkari said that he has encouraged all construction equipment manufacturers to convert their machinery to bio-CNG, which would also result in reduction of construction costs eventually.
Gadkari said that the ministry of road transport and highways is working to help conversion of diesel and petrol-run two and three wheelers to bio-CNG, ethanol and electric. He also pitched for converting city buses to bio CNG, which would help curb the rising levels of air pollution in the country.
Gadkari added that the government was making concerted efforts towards transition to electric mobility. “Within the next two years, I can assure you that the cost of electric vehicles will be the same as petrol and diesel-run vehicles,” he said.
Earlier this week, Gadkari called for making efforts to develop indigenous fuel cells for electric vehicles in the country.
Chairing a meeting of govt agencies and representatives from research institutions Gadkari said that with nearly 81% of Li-ion battery components available locally, India stands a very good chance for value addition at lower costs, and resultant employment generation at large scales.