Introduction of Euro 4 emission norms for commercial vehicles by 2010 in all the major metros is on cards, and by 2015 the Government is expected to come with one common emission norm countrywide, which will be Euro 5.
As you move into Euro 4, high pressure Common Rail fuel injection is clearly required. In addition you have two options – you could either use exhaust gas recirculation (technically known as EGR) combined with a partial flow filter, or you can use a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after treatment alone.
Globally engine and vehicle manufacturers have different views and their own reasons to choose a particular technology. There are views for and against the two technologies. In Europe, over 70 per cent of production uses SCR after treatment. EGR is self-contained with no operator intervention, whereas SCR requires ‘Ad blue’ (32 per cent aqueous solution of urea).
Mr. Arun Ramachandran Vice President (Automotive Business), Cummins India, says: “Cummins has both EGR based engines and SCR based engine in production globally. We have spent close to a year looking at which technology is better suited for Indian conditions and we believe that in the Indian context SCR is a better solution. We propose that for meeting Euro 4 emission norms on commercial vehicles, SCR is selected”.
Cummins will meet the Euro 4 emission legislations with Integrated Engine Management (IEM) system using SCR technology. The system is controlled and monitored from the engine mounted ECM, providing a more reliable, cost effective easier to install the system. The IEM strategy was first formed around the ability to provide a total solution of engines, air handling and exhaust systems all under the Cummins Umbrella. By working with Holset turbocharging and Fleetguard Emission solutions, Cummins is in a unique position to provide a complete engine to exhaust pipe package.
“In fact, globally Cummins has demonstrated that the advantages of using SCR technology. The classic example is the London bus where it demonstrated that by using SCR the engine produces the same level of particulate emissions as an engine with continuously regenerating trap (CRT) and gives 10 to 20% improved fuel efficiency. The improved fuel efficiency means lower cost to the operator as well as lesser CO2 emissions leading to lower global warming impact. That is one of the reasons why we feel in the Indian context SCR is a better choice”, adds Mr. Arun.
Cummins currently offers a complete range of engines, from light and medium duty trucks to heavy duty trucks and buses, to OEMs engine for various applications and different product segments. Cummins – Automotive Engines business started in India through a joint venture with Tata Motors, Tata Cummins Ltd. From being a primary supplier to Tata Motors, Cummins has now started supplying to many OEMs including Ashok Leyland, AMW, Eicher Motors and bus manufacturers like Sutlej and Cerita.
Currently, Cummins caters to 60 per cent of Tata Motors’ heavy commercial vehicle range and 100 per cent of AMW’s trucks. At Auto Expo this year, Ashok leyland had on display its heavy duty trucks with Cummins 8.9 litre.
For Cummins India, the automotive sector presents a huge opportunity. It is planning to set up its own automotive engine manufacturing line for the L, the C Series and the new 5.9-litre B Series engines. The C Series is an 8.3 litre engine while the 8.9-litre L Series is under development. The B series – Euro 2 and Euro 3 engines are almost 90 per cent indigenized.
The year 2007 proved a good for Cummins. The demand for Cummins engines has been more than what we sold every quarter despite the downturn in the CV segment during the current financial year. Says Mr. Arun: “The major achievement during the current year has been the introduction of mechanical fuel injection systems in Euro 3 engine which we have sold over 1000 units. These engines are performing very well and trouble free. Cummins has done particularly well in the bus segment. The DTC order won by Tata Motors for 500 low floor non air-conditioned buses and the 25 air conditioned buses are on Cummins B series engines. You will probably see more bus manufacturers offering our engines on their buses”.
Cummins is also focussing on smaller engines suitable for medium and light commercial vehicle segment. We are predominantly known as an engine supplier for heavy commercial vehicles and buses but we have product range to suit even medium duty segment. Hence we would like to de-risk ourselves by focussing on medium duty segment in the future.
As a group Cummins is expanding its operations in India. The company recently laid the foundation for a 150-acre mega site at Phaltan, near Pune, where all the affiliated companies will be setting up their future manufacturing facilities. This approach and investment will offer significant synergy to the Cummins group companies in India.
Cummins also opened two manufacturing facilities in January. One facility to produce power generators upto 160 kVA at Pirangut near Pune, and a second facility to produce alternators by Cummins Generator Technologies in Ranjangaon. In addition, CumminsTurbo Technologies performed the ground breaking ceremony of a new turbocharger plant at Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh in December. Cummins remains optimistic about the future outlook of its business in India.
Mr. Anant Talaulicar, Chairman & Managing Director of Cummins India recently announced: “Tata Cummins will establish a manufacturing facility in Phaltan, near Pune with a capacity to manufacture 45,000 automotive engines per annum. Through this plant engines will be supplied to both parent companies, Cummins India and Tata Motors. Tata Motors will use the B Series engines for automotive applications while we will use them for automotive, industrial and power generation”.
Cummins is also planning to set up a manufacturing facility for exhaust systems, under Cummins Exhaust India, formerly Nelson India, which will have the capacity to manufacture about two lakh silencers and three lakh tubes.
As technology advances and emission regulations become tighter, it is impossible for vehicle manufacturers to produce all the components in-house. Automotive Engines are high investment, high technology product and many Indian vehicle manufacturers, despite huge investments in engine manufacturing, are looking for better solutions as they upgrade their products.
Cummins has the capability to provide complete solution and going forward it will play an important role in the commercial vehicle industry by offering the Indian OEMs the right solution.
