ARAI Showcases Futuristic Technologies for The Automotive Sector

Battery Management System for training, Overhead Charging system for e-buses and trucks, and hydrogen pavilion are the center of attraction at the ongoing SIAT 2024

PUNE: In a bid to provide solutions to the futuristic needs of the automotive sector, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has developed some futuristic solutions and has showcased the same in the ongoing Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2024 at Pune International Exhibition and ConventionCentre (PIECC), Moshi. The Expo is on till January 25th. The prominent features are the showcase of fast charging systems for electric heavy commercial vehicles like trucks and buses, specially made battery management systems for skilling and training purposes, and the hydrogen pavilion.

The world is looking at alternate fuels for the energy needs of vehicles and electric vehicles are steadily gaining popularity. Batteries are one of the most important parts of these e-vehicles and so is the battery management system. Considering the training needs of skilled manpower which will be required to cater to the development and service needs of electric vehicles ARAI academy has introduced a specially designed Battery Management System Trainer (BMST) which is ideally suited for the budding engineers and technocrats for understanding the overall functioning of the battery and its various parts, informed Sanjay Patil from the ARAI Academy. This BMST will have special features like monitoring Individual Cells, Temperature, Pack Level Current, CAN Communication Data, and Real-Time Display. It can be applied in Education and Training, BMS Development, Student Projects, and Hands-on Experience for Industry Professionals.

While the use of electric vehicles is growing, an effective option for fast charging of the vehicle is of paramount importance. Going forward, heavy commercial vehicles like trucks and buses will also be electric ones. Thus, to cater to the need for charging these big vehicles, ARAI is in the advanced stages of developing the Overhead Automated Charging Device (OHACD). These charges of about 600KW capacity would charge the vehicle from 0 to 80% in just 25 minutes. The time taken by the current 100KW charger to charge the passenger car is about 3 – 4 hours. The OHACD technology will be introduced to the market in the next one to one and a half years, stated Abhijit Mulay, Deputy Director of ARAI.

S. S. Thipse, Senior Deputy Director of ARAI said that Hydrogen is a clean fuel and is the fuel of the future. So, ARAI has showcased the latest technology in hydrogen vehicles through a specially dedicated pavilion at the SIAT 2024 Expo. The latest in hydrogen fuel technology is displayed at this pavilion including the H2 Fuel Cell Bus, H2 IC Engine, H2 Type4 Cylinder, H2 Fuel Kit, and H2 ICE Truck. ARAI is developing the testing and certification model for hydrogen-powered vehicles and their components. It is also in the advanced stages of developing a hydrogen-powered engine which will be BSVI-compliant.