The Latest from SIAT

This week, I am pleased to attend the bi-annual Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) in Pune, India, where I will present a paper: Modernizing the Opposed-Piston, Two-Stroke Engine for Clean, Efficient Transportation. India, of course, is the second most populous country in the world and its economy is one of the fastest growing. At the Inaugural Function of the Symposium, Member of Parliament Supriya Sule noted that the transportation sector is growing more quickly than other industries, while also highlighting how the perception of diesel engines has changed from dirty to clean and efficient. In addition, Mrs. Sule identified one of the important challenges to the sector—the need to reduce vehicle emissions.
 

Trucks sold in Indian cities have to meet Euro IV standards, while those sold outside of cities have to meet Euro III. Once purchased, though, trucks can be driven anywhere so most operate at Euro III levels. The government plans to enforce Euro IV nationwide starting around 2015, before eventually moving to Euro V.
 
Also at the Inaugural Function, Member of Parliament Praful Patel outlined another important challenge for the transportation sector: vehicle efficiency. While India is a net exporter of petroleum, its oil consumption increased 41% from 2007 to 2011. Increased energy efficiency yields faster economic development.
 
And one does not have to be in India long to recognize a third challenge—despite raising per capita income by a factor of 200 from 1947 to 2011, the country is just 140th in the world in per capita GDP. Products have to be affordable before they can be useful.
 
In India, and around the world, the transportation sector has to get cleaner, more efficient and more cost effective. If you have been reading this blog, you recognize these as three important attributes that have already been demonstrated by the Achates Power opposed-piston, two-stroke engine.