Suzuki developing biogas vehicle fuel from cow dung in India

Suzuki is producing biogas from cow dung in India for use as vehicle fuel.

The Japanese automotive company unveiled its second biogas facility on Mar. 19 in Bhukhala, located in the western Indian state of Gujarat, according to Kyodo News.

The process

About 300 million cattle, regarded as sacred in Hinduism, are raised in India.

The automotive company purchases dung from nearby farmers at a rate of 1 rupee (1.5 Singapore cents) per kg, generating an annual income of about 72,000 rupees (S$984.32) for the average household in Bukhala.

The biogas facility is where cow dung is fermented for about a month in a large tank.

Generated gas from the fermentation is refined into fuel and supplied to nearby residents at a refuelling station next to the plant.

Uses

Biogas can be used as fuel for compressed natural gas-powered (CNG) vehicles, which emit less carbon dioxide than gasoline-powered vehicles.

CNG vehicles account for around a fifth of India’s auto market.

The facility processes up to 100 tonnes of cow dung daily, producing around 1.5 tonnes of biogas.

This is enough to power roughly 850 vehicles per day.

Leftover residue is recycled and then sold as organic fertiliser.

Objectives

According to Suzuki, the move's objective is to harness the potential of biogas derived from methane-rich cow dung for sustainability purposes.

This addresses methane emissions from cow dung, which have a greenhouse effect 28 times larger than carbon dioxide.

The company intends to investigate the potential commercialisation of biogas as an eco-friendly fuel for automobiles.

It also aims to align with the government of India’s organic fertiliser promotion policy by recycling biogas residue as organic fertiliser.

The automotive company also operates another biogas facility in Agthala, also located in Gujarat.

The company plans to build seven more biogas facilities and aims to expand its operations across India.

Top photo via Google Maps