- By Divanshi Sharma
- Tue, 29 Aug 2023 07:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Toyota Motors has unveiled the world's first BS 6 (stage II) electrified flex fuel-based vehicle, which can run on ethanol blends of beyond 20 per cent. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari was present at the official unveiling of the new Toyota Innova HyCross. The electrified flex-fuel Innova HyCross will be able to run in EV mode in addition to using the alternative ethanol fuel. The hybrid electric Innova HyCross is a concept that complies with Bharat Stage 6 (BS VI) (Stage 2), the most recent emission norms.
India’s First Flex-Fuel Vehicle
Ethanol will be used to power the Toyota Innova HyCross flex-fuel MPV. The fuel tank and fuel pipe have been modified and the engine has also been tweaked to operate on E100 grade ethanol. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which is also used in the standard Innova HyCross, is E85 fuel compatible. The MPV's spark plugs and piston rings have been changed.
In order to give power to the car in cold weather, Toyota has also installed a cold-start mechanism. A self-charging lithium-ion battery pack that can produce enough power to enable the MPV to operate in EV mode will also be included. There is currently no information available regarding the production launch of the electrified Innova HyCross flex-fuel.
Innova HyCross hybrid MPV has a power output of 181 bhp and gives a mileage of 23.24 km/l. According to Toyota, the flex-fuel model can provide a 30% to 50% increase in fuel efficiency.
Speaking at the launch, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the biofuel will eradicate the problem of stubble burning almost by 100 per cent and it will also help in doubling farmers' income. "Today is a historic day for the entire world as first prototype is going to unveil. Earlier, Vikram Kirloskar was there and I usually took follow up about the prototype every time from him, but his demise is a big loss for us," Gadkari said, as quoted by IANS.
The Switch Towards Ethanol
Ethanol-based cars are already in use in China, Brazil, the United States and Thailand. India's quest for biofuel or other cleaner alternative fuels erupted after the introduction of petrol blended with ethanol by the government last year. For a very long time, the government has advocated using extra food crops to produce the ethanol required to power automobiles. Though ethanol is not yet accessible in India as a transportation fuel, it is anticipated to be far less expensive than diesel.