Ashok Leyland Ties Up Technology for Hydrogen – Natural Gas Mix Engines “Hythane” engines will meet BS4 emission norms and beyond Ashok Leyland, the Hinduja Group flagship in India, has signed an agreement with Brehon Energy PLC, Australia, for technology for the use of ecologically superior Hythane gas in CNG engines. Brehon Energy PLC has acquired and developed patents, technology and know-how for the production, storage, dispensing and use of Hythane. This agreement with Brehon would enable Ashok Leyland to offer its 6-cylinder 'H' series engines to operate on Hythane. Use of Hythane, which is a prepared blend of hydrogen and natural gas, dramatically reduces gaseous emissions compared to CNG, which is by itself a 'clean' fuel. Currently, Ashok Leyland produces BS3 compliant diesel and CNG engines. The re-engineered engines using Hythane will meet the more stringent, future emission norms starting with BS4. The use of CNG in vehicular applications is expected to grow in line with the Indian Government's plans to make available CNG in more parts of the country. The Government is also actively encouraging R&D on Hydrogen - natural gas mix as an alternate fuel for automobile engines. Since rolling out India's first CNG-powered bus in 1997 on Mumbai's roads, Ashok Leyland spearheaded the large-scale induction of this eco-friendly technology in the bus fleet of Delhi. In 2002, the company developed India's first Hybrid Electric bus.