On a green drive

April 22 is Earth Day. Simply observing it isn't enough. Be a part of the green movement by going in for an environment-friendly vehicle.

Over the years, we have experienced how unpredictable the climate has become. Summers are hotter, when it rains — it pours, and winters are, to put it mildly, bizarre.

Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, water vapour, and methane — trap the sun's heat and light in the earth's atmosphere, causing temperatures to soar. There are other contributors to this damage but we'd have to admit, albeit grudgingly that automobiles are to blame too, despite their unquestionable utility value and the fact that we can't live without them. So what's the solution?

Well, governments, automobile manufacturers and researchers are already striving to make our vehicles green. Air pollution legislations are getting stringent, there is an increased focus on green fuels and green cars, and the idea of cars that emit water as the only emission does not appear far-fetched now. Manufacturers are also working to produce cars in the most energy efficient manner possible.

As motorists, we need to get our act together and be part of the solution. The time is ripe for a green revolution on wheels. If you're looking to buy a green car, we've compiled a list of cars to make that decision easier. You'd be surprised by the many green car options. We have omitted a few since it runs too long.

April 22 is Earth Day. Simply observing it isn't enough anymore. It's time for action.

Hyundai i10 CNG

Hyundai wants to make its i10 appeal to as many buyers as possible, eco-conscious customers being part of that list. Little wonder why a CNG kit is offered as an option on the car. The CNG kit adds Rs. 55,000 to the price of the petrol model that starts at Rs. 3.54 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Buyers will like its city-friendly dimensions and cheerful interiors. Good fuel economy in petrol mode and low running costs in CNG mode make the i10 CNG an excellent eco-friendly buy.

Maruti Suzuki Alto Green

The Alto Green is the CNG variant of the hugely successful Alto. The hatchback features Maruti's intelligent-Gas Port injection (i-GPi) technology that promises more power and better fuel efficiency than retro-fitted CNG kits. The Alto Green is powered by a 796cc engine that produces 38.8bhp in CNG mode. Extremely low running costs make this a great buy for those on a tight budget. The Alto Green is available from Rs. 2.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Toyota Innova CNG

Toyota's ever-popular Innova can now be had with a CNG kit. Offered as an optional on the 2-litre petrol eight-seater model, the CNG kit adds Rs. 1 lakh to the base price of Rs. 8.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The 12kg CNG cylinder tank is housed behind the third row seats and this limits luggage space. However, if a large, good quality and inexpensive-to-run people-carrier is what you need, the Innova CNG is the answer. At present, the Innova CNG is only available in Mumbai and Delhi-NCR region.

Chevrolet Beat LPG

Here's one way to beat rising petrol prices. Chevrolet has recently launched the LPG version of the Beat hatchback. Powered by a 1.2-litre Smartech engine, the Beat LPG comes with a 28-litre LPG cylinder in addition to its 35-litre petrol tank. Chevrolet claims this Beat can cover 349km on one tank of LPG, and with combined fuel usage, it can stretch its legs till 1,000km. Prices start at Rs. 4.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Tata Indica eV2 LPG

Tata Motors has recently updated the Indica hatchback, now called the Indica eV2. Mild exterior and interior tweaks have revamped this decade-old car. The Indica continues to sell with an LPG option. Power is courtesy a 1.2-litre engine that develops 61.8bhp. The Indica eV2 LPG is a high-value product being big on space and low on price. It sells for Rs. 3.3 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Mahindra Scorpio micro hybrid

Mahindra's flagship SUV has made it to our green list thanks to its innovative Start/Stop technology. The engine cuts off when the car is idling. Sadly, this switches the AC off as well, leaving only the blower on. A handy switch de-activates the system for those hot summer days. Big and green, the Scorpio Hybrid is available Rs. 10.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and upwards.

Toyota Prius

The Prius is that dollop of salad you take onto the plate after gorging on all those fried starters. Arguably the world's most famous hybrid, the Prius might just be that evolutionary pivot Darwin was harping about. Its electric motor works at crawling speeds and keeps emissions to a minimum. And 136bhp from its petrol engine means it is not found wanting for power. An ideal green car. Pity it costs an exorbitant Rs. 27 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Mahindra REVA i

The Mahindra REVA i is the sole electric vehicle sold in India. Zero emissions make it the greenest car here. While the styling may not appeal to all, it can be called cute. The i comes with a lead acid battery which the company claims gives it a range of 80km per charge. A simple wall socket is needed to juice up the battery that takes 2.5 hours for an 85 per cent charge with a full charge taking eight hours. Pricing starts at Rs. 2.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It's worth noting that the all-new Reva NXR and NXG cars with more powerful batteries are being readied for launch.

Hero Group Launches New Electric Vehicle E-Sprint

Hero group of India has launched its latest electric two wheeler model E-sprint India priced at Rs. 37,400. The new E-Sprint has a range of 65km on a single charge and can attain a top speed of 45kmph. It will be rolled out in the country in a phased manner by next year. “We have launched high speed bikes for the first time in the country. Besides being environment-friendly, these are also very affordable,” Hero Electric Managing Director Naveen Munjal told the reporters.

Hero E-sprint is considered a high speed bikes amongst all electric vehicles considering that other models are able to reach maximum speed of 25-35kmph.

The E-Sprint comes with hydraulic front disc brakes, telescopic shockers, and is powered by what the company calls a BLDC motor that outputs 800 W. Charging time, though, is a lengthy 8 hours – which means that after your 65 km run, you better plug it in overnight to ensure it is ready to go on the next run.

The company has also asked the UP government to exempt the vehicle from VAT due to its eco-friendly credentials. The company already has VAT exemption from 11 states in the country.

Safe Driving Tips

• Do not change lanes suddenly while driving. Use your indicators to show your fellow motorists that you wish to change lanes or take a turn as the case may be. If for any reason your indicator lights are not working please use hand signals.

• If your vehicle brakes down use help and push the same to the corner of the road so as not to obstruct traffic. Use the hazard warning lights to indicate a brake-down.
  

• Do not leave the keys hanging in the ignition switch if the driver of the vehicle is not in place. ( specially if children are in the vehicle) Always keep safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you to enable you to stop in time if urgent braking is required.

• Ensure no object that you may be carrying is kept loose or unsecured. In an accident or in urgent braking the same may hurt yourself or some pedestrian.
  

• If the vehicle is parked ensure that the hand brake is drawn and the vehicle is in gear to avoid any untoward mishap.
  

• Always ensure that you give right of way to an Ambulance. Please understand that there may be a patient in the vehicle to whom even a minute's difference would mean the difference between life and death. Also the same would apply in the case of the fire brigade.
  

• While travelling, both in the city and on the highway avoid using the High Beam of your headlights if other vehicles are approaching from the opposite side.
  

• Always ensure all the indicator lights and the operating gear of the same is operational. Pay attention to brake lights and headlights.
  

• If you are about to overtake or in the middle of an overtake on a two-laned national highway or a narrow road, indicate to the approaching vehicle with two to three flickers of the headlight, be it daytime or night to let him know of your intended maneuver. If in such a case the approaching vehicle flickers back, don’t overtake. This means he is too close to you for safely carrying out the overtake.
  

• Always obey traffic rules and signals. They are for the benefit of both yourself and your fellow motorists. Also by obeying the rules you will ensure safety and avoid confusion.
  

• Do not use a mobile phone while driving your vehicle, it is dangerous for both yourself and others. If you must speak on the mobile pull over to the side of the road and stop. Or have a hands free attachment that comes on automatically and switches off too.

JLR launches major recruitment drive

TATA owned Jaguar- Land Rover (JLR) has announced a major drive to recruit 600 engineers and technical staff to work on its 700- million pounds project of developing a new generation of cleaner and eco-friendly vehicles. The initiative comes only weeks after JLR was bought by Indian car giant Tata Motors from Ford for 1.5 billion pounds, but the former is not directly involved with the project though it has approved the plan. “This recruitment drive demonstrates Jaguar Land Rover’s confidence in our future. With our new owners, we have entered an exciting era with stunning new models and ambitious technologies,” newly- appointed chief executive David Smith said on Wednesday. The company has invested in sustainable technologies to meet European Union emissions target and is looking for experienced, degree- educated engineers to work on a variety of ground- breaking projects.

Most of the jobs will be based at the group’s development centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Besides, there are a number of vacancies in its purchasing, finance and human resources departments. It is also launching a programme aimed at recruiting more than 80 graduate trainees as well as 60 apprentices under an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship scheme announced in March. “This is probably the biggest single recruitment drive in the history of the two companies and it demonstrates that this is ago- ahead business with a strong future,” said a spokesman of the company. Kiran Virk, policy adviser at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the recruitment drive was a welcome boost to the manufacturing sector which is trying to fight off increasing raw material costs, a downturn in the economy and global competition.