(Saurabh Markandeya and wife Kajal Shah)

Today’s automakers are trying to comply with India’s Bharat Stage VI (BSVI) emission standards from next year. Some automakers say hybrid powertrains will help reduce compliance costs, but they are wary of investing in technology that could be eclipsed by zero-emission electric vehicles. Zero-emission electric vehicles could become commonplace as early as 2030 year after year.

But the fact that the world’s largest automaker, which has a significant presence in India, is tentatively investing in hybrid transmissions is a testament to the difficulty of realizing an efficient economic solution in this technology space.

The automaker, which wished to remain anonymous, has asked the Bengaluru-based startup to manufacture hybrid transmissions for its existing range of compact cars. The idea behind the move is to develop hybrid cars cheap enough to replace diesel cars, which can become expensive when BSVII When the standards come into effect. Adarin Engineering Technologies, which specializes in hybrid and electric powertrains, spent seven months developing the Motomaticc hybrid transmission. We then built a prototype with this hybrid drivetrain to prove it works.

“Automakers need hybrids to improve efficiency and meet BSVI (emissions standards), but India can’t really afford these systems,” says Adarin Saurabh Markandeya. Markandeya and his wife Kajal Shah both work for Tata. Motors was founded in 2013 by Adarin. Initially, I tried to sell the technology to tractor and large commercial vehicle manufacturers, but without much success. The decision to focus on smaller vehicles paid off. Since then, the startup has built early prototypes. We use the Tata Nano, which has proven to be easy to drive and efficient.

An executive from a global automaker who participated in the test drive asked Adaline if the technology could be expanded to the company’s smaller models. The automaker is currently conducting tests to ensure that the Adaline hybrid transmission can meet its efficiency goals before signing a commercial agreement.

How it works

Adarin Hybrid Transmission CVT The belt is not used like a traditional automatic transmission. Instead, it is driven entirely by gears. In fact, the efficiency of the automatic transmission is 95%, which is 85% higher than current automatic transmissions A significant increase in the level of efficiency.

To complement the gasoline-powered engine, the Adarin transmission is equipped with twin electric motors. One provides the drive, while the other acts as a generator for the battery pack, which can be charged and discharged quickly. This means that automakers can use existing gasoline engines without the need to build a hybrid solution independent of the transmission. Adarin The solution was completely designed and developed, including the motors and battery pack, and four hardware patents were filed. “. Our solution allows the engine to run at the most efficient speed. If the engine produces more power than needed, it can run the alternator to charge the batteries. If it produces less than the required power, a power source is needed. The motor can supplement this,” Markandeya said.

Cost savings

Global automakers have saved significant initial development costs by partnering with startups to develop the technology. In the long run, it also helps to restore development and manufacturing costs for gasoline engines.

If the technology is affordable, it could be a viable alternative to small diesel models, which could be introduced in phases. Counterpoint Research Vinay Piparsania This means that with the BSVI laws and regulations coming into effect, this no longer applies. “Hybrids are definitely an intermediate step, providing options for the two technologies to coexist until EVs are ready and other infrastructure issues are resolved.” Pipasanha said. Today, hybrids are taxed at the same rate as premium gasoline and diesel models, including 28% GST and a 15% surcharge, making them very expensive.

“Higher taxes on hybrid cars will kill clean energy and diesel car technology. Shekarrr Viswanathan, Vice Chairman and Executive Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor “India needs to promote hybrid cars to ensure a smooth transition to electrification.” The more hybrid cars we sell, the more likely electric cars will succeed. As the price of batteries comes down, the price of cars will go up because it will automatically go down.