Prof RV Ravikrishna (Department of Mechanical Engineering, IISc) has led a team of researchers under a collaborative partnership between IISc and Ashok Leyland, with financial assistance from the Department of Science and Technology, to develop technology that can convert diesel, petrol and CNG engines to operate on 100% Methanol (M100). The key outcome of the project was the successful adaptation of the multi-cylinder engine of Ashok Leyland enabling it to run on M100. To build on the project’s success, the M100 engine has been mounted on a truck for vehicle-level trials. Â
On 12 March 2023, in an event organised by NITI Aayog at the Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore, the M100 truck was flagged off by the Honorable Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, along with the Honorable Minister of State of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Rameshwar Teli. This event marks the launching of India’s first – and the world’s second – 100% Methanol (M100) prototype truck. The prototype truck will soon be commercialised as a market offering, contributing to the revolution of completely replacing diesel in the logistics sector.
