Suzuki Motor Corporation is set to showcase an eco-friendly mobility solution at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show (October 26-November 5, 2023): a Wagon R hatchback powered by biomethane gas. This innovative car was initially presented at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May and appears to be the Indian version of the Wagon R, distinct from the Japanese model.
The use of Compressed Biomethane Gas (CBG) aligns with the Indian government’s commitment to developing cleaner and more sustainable fuels. Suzuki Motor Corp has been actively involved in the CBG project since 2022, emphasizing its potential to contribute to India’s development by promoting rural revitalization, fostering a sustainable recycling-oriented society, and enhancing mobility options.
The Indian-made Wagon R CBG variant was developed at Maruti Suzuki’s R&D center in India and has been in development since 2022. At the upcoming Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, Suzuki will unveil this vehicle, along with additional information about its CBG initiatives in India.
In December 2022, Maruti Suzuki introduced a flex-fuel Wagon R prototype capable of running on an ethanol-petrol blend ranging from 20 percent (E20) to 85 percent (E85). Maruti Suzuki’s chairman, RC Bhargava, previously emphasized the importance of reducing the carbon footprint in India by not solely relying on electric vehicles but also harnessing hybrid technologies, CBG, and CNG.
Compressed Biomethane Gas (CBG) is a promising alternative to power vehicles and engines. Unlike Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is derived from petroleum sources, CBG is produced from the decomposition of organic matter, including agricultural waste, cow dung, sewage, and municipal waste. The biogas generated through this process undergoes a refinement procedure to reduce carbon dioxide levels, increasing methane content to match CNG’s composition.
One notable advantage of CBG is its environmentally friendly production process, where the by-products of organic decomposition can be repurposed for agricultural use. In a significant move in 2020, the then Minister of Oil, Dharmendra Pradhan, revealed India’s plans to invest $24 billion (around Rs 200 crore) in producing 1.5 crore tonnes of compressed biogas from 5,000 plants by 2023. This strategic initiative not only reduces costs but also enables India to decrease its reliance on imported CNG to meet domestic demand.
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