: Students of Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology have designed an eco-friendly car that runs on hydrogen gas. Four final year automobile engineering students —Ranjit Ponnamal, N. Hareesh Babu, K.Y. Durga Prasad and B.V.V. Srinivas —decided to make an eco-friendly vehicle as part of their academic project under the guidance of associate professor Veeraraju Pendyala and HOD V. Subrahmanyam.
The students first purchased an old scooter engine of 125 CC and modified it to run with hydrogen gas which is produced by the method of hydrolysis from water by a fuel cell. Robert Ponnamal, father of Ranjit, is an automobile mechanic. By taking his help, the students procured the required components such as steering, suspension, axles etc. The chassis is completely designed and built by them. The body is completely fabricated by flexible plywood to make it lighter. Finally, they fabricated the open top and two-seat capacity car.
“It took three months time and spent an amount of Rs.40, 000 for completing the work. It was giving a mileage of 25 kmpl and after modifications once the gas is filled, it gives up to 50 kmpl.” After testing the vehicle, Mr. Subrahmanyam said that the vehicle is running smoothly.
Principal D.V. Ramamurthy said emissions from the engine minimum. The engine can be maintained by using the hydrogen fuel cell. Chairman of the GIET colleges K.V.V.Satyanarayana Raju, MD Sasi Kiran Varma, ED Lakshmi Sasi Kiran Varma, CEO D.L.N.Raju, and GM. P.Subbaraju congratulated the students.
