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Jatropha plants to power Indian cars?

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CIOL Bureau
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PUNE: DaimlerChrysler flagged off its second phase of testing bio-diesel as a viable alternative for automobiles in India following the successful first phase in hot and humid conditions.

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Suhas Kadlaskar, director- corporate affairs and finance, flagged off two C-class Mercedes-Benz cars and an additional Mercedes-Benz Viano on Monday. The cars will go to Chandigarh before beginning the 1920 km journey to Leh and Ladakh. .

DaimlerChrysler initiated the Jatropha Bio-diesel program in collaboration with Central Salt and Marin Chemicals Research Institute and the University of Hohenheim. .

As part of its sustainability initiative, DaimlerChrysler has spent over Rs. 3.5 crore to develop biodiesel from Jatropha plants from the wastelands in Gujarat and Orissa. .

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The company began testing the project last year in April when 2 C-Class Mercedes-Benz cars completed a 35-day journey in South, Western India and Delhi, covering a total of 5900 km. .

After completing the second phase of testing in cold climatic conditions, a technical feasibility report would be submitted stating whether bio-diesel fuel could be used in India. .

"India faces difficult challenges. The most pressing is one of pollution. Moreover, the dependability on imports is very high to the tune of 70 per cent. The country has over 130 million hectares lying unused. If this is used to cultivate the Jatropha plant, we could convert challenges to opportunities," said Kadlaskar. .

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The automobile major also has a plan to initiate a village cooperative society concept that would run Jatropha farms generating one to two tons of bio-diesel per day. .

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