Kerala - Kochi   

Looking for pollution-free alternatives

Emission of polluting gases by automobiles has been of concern to scientists and environmentalists. Research on developing new technologies capable of less emission has brought notable results.

Cars powered by battery have been tested successfully. A few companies have introduced the electric car that runs on power derived from rechargeable battery. The battery needs to be charged for a few hours and this has been cited as a drawback.

A company based in Bangalore has been marketing the electric car in India, but it has not been able to attain a mass base.

The concept had met with only partial success even in Western countries. This had raised suspicions about groups attempting to thwart the project.

A film, `Who killed electric car', was released last year in which the role of a petroleum-based lobby was discussed. The film was made in the backdrop of one of well-known companies in the U.S withdrawing from the marketing of the electric car after a few hundred cars were sold.

New technologies for speedy recharge of the battery are being tried in some countries.

An Indian company is said to be partnering a French firm for conducting research on a car capable of running on compressed air.

The compressed air technology system (CATS) might be able to revolutionise the automobile sector, if found successful.

The arrival of the battery-powered two-wheelers in the Indian market has reportedly received good response from the market.

The bikes that do not need petrol are being marketed in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and other cities.

R. Ramabhadran Pillai

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