The National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja group and India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, are working together to develop and commercialise the “Swirl Mesh Lean Direct Injection (LDI) system” technology for a range of hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) using this turbine technology.
An indigenously built Micro Gas Turbine is being developed at NCCRD by IIT Madras researchers, according to a press release. The Swirl Mesh Lean Direct Injection (LDI) system, a proprietary combustion technology, is the basis of the Micro Turbine.
The onboard power would be produced by the Micro Gas Turbine, which was collaboratively developed by NCCRD and Aerostrovilos Energy, a start-up that IITM has nurtured. The main powertrain will be electric motors. The big battery will be replaced by this little gas turbine.
Ashok Leyland signed a letter of support with NCCRD, IIT Madras, to develop the technology for the heavy vehicle market after it was tested on a lab scale. On Monday, October 10, 2022, Ashok Leyland delivered a 9-metre-long passenger electric bus to NCCRD as part of the collaboration.
