Union Minister for Road and Transport, Nitin Gadkari, unveiled the first methanol-powered buses in Bengaluru in collaboration with the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), NITI Aayog, Indian Oil Company (IOC), and Ashok Leyland.
These newly built buses will be run by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation. It comes under the Clean Energy Mission by the government.
The initiative aims to reduce pollutants and promote clean fuel options.
The BMTC intends to launch 80 buses that will use methanol fuel as part of the trial project, and 20 Ashok Leyland buses will also be introduced in the first stages.
Methanol is a clean, low-cost alternative to fossil fuel-based products. It can be produced through the reaction of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen, which are also known as syngas.
The syngas can be produced from various sources such as natural gas, coal, or biomass.
Methanol can be blended with gasoline or used as a standalone fuel in vehicles with modified engines.
It has a high octane rating, which means it can improve engine performance and reduce harmful emissions.