Tata's 3.8-litre CNG engine for CVs gets BS-VI compliance certification

Tata Motors becomes the first OEM in India to add a BS-VI compliant CV engine to its line-up. 

In a bid to transition smoothly to the upcoming BS-VI emission norms, Tata Motors has taken the first step towards this mission by receiving a BS-VI compliance certificate for its 3.8-litre naturally-aspirated SGI CNG motor from the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India). The certification not only applies to permissible levels of tailpipe mass emissions but it also validates the compliance to the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) norms, as mandated by the government.

Sharing his thoughts on the accomplished feat, Mr Rajendra Petkar, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Tata Motors said, 'This BS-VI engine certification milestone has been achieved with intense design and development focus, by leveraging in-house capabilities and those of our technology partners. We have worked hard to build a leadership position in the market by providing our customers with economical, best-in-class natural gas vehicle products in the commercial vehicle market and this development of BS-VI solution will further reinforce our market offering.'
 
The 3.8-litre naturally-aspirated CNG engine in question here develops 84bhp at 2,500rpm and produces 285Nm of torque. Tata has been able to make this motor BS-VI compliant by using technologies such as Sequential Gas Injection for increasing combustion efficiency and the use of a three-way catalytic converter works as the exhaust after-treatment system in order to bring down the NOx (Nitrous Oxide) and PM (Particulate Matter) levels.

This engine will be used by Tata in its CVs (Commercial Vehicles) with GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) figures between four to nine tonnes, which means that it will find its way to truck models like the 407, 709, 909 and some of its bus models as well. In order to facilitate further speedy development and BS-VI homologation of its existing powertrains, Tata Motors has set up a dedicated 'Emission Test Facility' at its Power Systems Engineering Division (PSE) in Pune.