Alternative fuels in the automobiles industry
Student name: Mr Santhosh Krishnan R.
Guide: Dr Kaushik Ranjan Bandyopadhyay
Year of completion: 2012
Host Organisation: Grant Thornton India LLP, Chennai
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Sridhar V
Abstract: Rising oil prices and increasing awareness of the environmental impact of traditional fuels
make alternative-fuel vehicles attractive. Government incentives and regulations are also
pushing individuals to explore alternative fuels. Many countries/states already offer such
incentives for the encouragement of use of alternative fuels.
Alternative fuels are considered as any of the fuels other than the conventional fossil fuels.
They include CNG, LPG, Ethanol, Methanol, Biodiesel, Flex Fuels, Hydrogen fuel cells,
electric batteries and Hybrid electrics. Alternative fuel preferences vary dramatically around
the globe depending on the availability of the fuel.
The objective of this analysis is to inform the public of the different types of alternatives to
gasoline and diesel that are currently available, along with the drivers and challenges that
currently exist in the market.
An Indian scenario, motivated by energy security reasons, is also discussed.
Key words: Automobile Fuels, Clean-tech, Emissions, CNG, LPG, Electric Vehicles, Hybrids
