Improved Fuel Efficiency with GreenDrive Neo on Ashok Leyland BS4 Passenger Bus

bus

Vehicle Details

Make & Model:

Ashok Leyland BS4 Passenger Bus, 5.6-liter engine (2017).

Baseline Route:

Fixed highway route between two cities, operated under near-ideal conditions:

    • Fuel Average: 4.25–4.4 km/l.
    • Operating Temperature: Nighttime average of 25°C.
    • Speed: 54 km/h(average).

Trial Conditions Post GreenDrive Installation

  • Route: Pilgrimage tour across North India with varying terrains, including: Highways, city roads, and steep elevations.
  • Operating Temperature: Nighttime lows of 5°C; overall average of 12°C.
  • Speed: Reduced to an average of 42.5 km/h, reflecting more challenging driving conditions.
  • Fuel Used: A mix of Bio-diesel and Diesel.
  • Journey Distance: 2,800+ km.

Results and Observations

Fuel Efficiency
  1. Baseline (Ideal Conditions): 4.25–4.4 km/l.
  2. Post-Installation (Challenging Conditions): 4.45 km/l.
  3. Improvement:
    1. Despite reduced speed, harsher driving conditions, and significant temperature drop, the fuel average remained better than baseline.
    2. While the exact fuel savings cannot be quantified due to the differing conditions, the results indicate substantial efficiency gains compared to the baseline.
  4. Regaining fuel efficiency: The bus ran on its usual route after this tour and clocked 4.95 kmpl fuel efficiency again proving that the difficult driving conditions was the cause of reduced fuel efficiency that would have pulled down average without system to much lower than 4.45 kmpl.

Scientific Analysis

  1. Temperature Drop:
    • A decrease from 25°C to 12°Cincreases fuel consumption due to higher air density, lower tyre pressure, and longer engine warm-up times.
    • Estimated impact: 5–10% increase in fuel consumptionunder such conditions.
  2. Speed Reduction:
    • A drop from 54 km/h to 42.5 km/hincreases idling time and reduces engine efficiency.
  3. Elevation Driving:
    • Climbing elevations requires significantly more fuel due to increased engine load.

Despite these adverse factors, GreenDrive Neo maintained a 4.45 km/l fuel average, underscoring its effectiveness in optimizing combustion.

  • GreenDrive Neo ensured more complete fuel combustion, reducing unburned fuel waste and offsetting the impact of harsher conditions.
  • The ability of GreenDrive Neo to optimize combustion regardless of the fuel mix (Bio-diesel and Diesel) further highlights its adaptability.

Driver Feedback

  • The engine ran seamlessly with no noticeable vibration or strain.
  • No visible black smoke from the exhaust during the journey.
  • The driver reported slightly better engine power, particularly during climbs.

Key Results Summary

ParameterBaseline ConditionsChallenging Conditions with GreenDriveOutcome
RouteHighwayHighways, City, ElevationMixed
Operating Temperature25°C12°C-
Speed54 km/h42.5 km/h-
Fuel Average4.25–4.4 km/l4.45 km/l during tour, but regained to 4.95 on standard route.Improved under challenges and efficiency improved further with lesser challenge.
Journey DistanceN/A2,800 km-
Fuel TypeDiesel/Bio-dieselDiesel/Bio-dieselConsistent

Conclusion

The trial demonstrates that Saarthi GreenDrive Neo delivers measurable benefits in fuel efficiency and engine performance even under harsh and variable driving conditions:

  1. Fuel Efficiency Gains: Achieved better-than-baseline mileage of 4.45 km/l under challenging operating conditions, and 4.95 kmpl under normal conditions. 
  2. Emission Reduction: Improved combustion efficiency resulted in cleaner emissions and the elimination of black smoke.
  3. Adaptability: The system effectively optimized combustion for a mix of Diesel and Bio-diesel.
  4. Driver Confidence: Consistently smooth engine performance and slightly enhanced power output during demanding climbs.

GreenDrive Neo has demonstrated its ability to transform even challenging journeys into opportunities for significant fuel and emission savings. This success further highlights its potential to contribute to sustainable transport solutions for commercial fleets.