Carmakers go green with eco-friendly acts

Today is the World Environment Day. And, the Indian car companies have taken some of the green measures regarding this.

Indian car companies are not only producing cleaner fuel burning cars, they are also using less energy themselves.

Maruti says its per car energy consumption has declined by a quarter in the last six years. The carmaker has done it with natural lights to light up the shop floor, solar energy, recycling of waste heat and such other measures. The carmaker says it has cut down Carbon Dioxide emissions during car production by 39%.

Others like Tata Motors are trying not to eliminate Carbon Dioxide emissions altogether.

Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Motors, says "The company is launching vehicles that run on hydrogen."

Hyundai does not allow rainwater to run down the drain; it recycles wastewater as well. And, it relies on trees to scrub the air. The company says it has planted about one lakh saplings around its car plant.

Honda has bagged the title of greenest automaker for the fourth time in a row. Its FCX concept car is a fuel cell car.

Skoda says its big cars are 100% recyclable. Paints used are water based and the use of hazardous solvents have been practically eliminated.

The govenment says the industry must go beyond tokenism and develop technologies that are environmentally benign but commercially paying.

Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, says "Subsidising or incentivising is important to create demand but not a long-term startegy. Players should develop technology and  there should be a breakthrough."
 
In the past the Indian auto industry has resisted tougher emission standards. It has had to be kicked and dragged by the Supreme Court and NGOs to adopt natural gas in public transportation. Indian car companies now have the confidence in their research and development capability. The government could help by raising the bar.