GreenDrive Neo – Transforming Fuel Efficiency Through Engine Decarbonization

bus 2

Vehicle Details

Make & Model:

Ashok Leyland BS4, 5600cc engine capacity.

Year of Operation:

2018

Monthly Mileage:

10,000+ km (inter-city routes in Gujarat).

Fuel Type:

Diesel and Bio-diesel.

Baseline Fuel Average:

4.25–4.4 km/l (as per the owner).

This vehicle operates in a region with stable weather, primarily at night. Moderately maintained, it consistently performed within expected mileage limits for its age and usage.

The Challenge

With rising fuel costs and a global focus on emissions, the bus operator sought to enhance fuel efficiency while maintaining consistent performance. A solution was needed to:

  • Improve mileage.
  • Reduce harmful emissions.
  • Enhance engine health without structural modifications.

In November 2023, GreenDrive Neo was installed to test its impact on fuel efficiency and emissions.

GreenDrive Neo Installed

Timeline of Observations

Day 1–25: Initial Boost in Mileage
  • Fuel Average: Improved from 4.25–4.4 km/lto 4.6–4.7 km/l (+5–10%).
  • Post-tuning, the system further optimized performance, reaching 5.2 km/l(+18–22%).
  • The range fluctuated between 4.9–5.2 km/l, depending on driving conditions, load, and route.

After 25 days, the system began to show reduced performance:

  • The fuel average dropped to 4.4–4.5 km/l, nearing pre-installation levels.
  • Investigation revealed chlorine contaminationin the system caused by tap water usage, which damaged the electrolyzer plates.

To evaluate the vehicle’s baseline performance without GreenDrive Neo, the system was shut down for 5 days:

  • Fuel Average (Post Shutdown): Increased slightly to 4.3–4.45 km/l.

This improvement, even without the system, demonstrated the decarbonization effect from the earlier use of GreenDrive Neo:

  • Cleaner combustion chambers and reduced carbon buildup improved engine efficiency.
  • Resulted in smoother engine performance and a marginal mileage gain (~2–5%).

A new GreenDrive Neo unit was installed, restoring the fuel average to 4.9–5.2 km/l.

  • This showed the system’s ability to deliver consistent results after addressing the contamination issue.

Key Benefits Observed

  • Average improvement: +18–22%.
  • Monthly Diesel Savings: More than 400 liters.
  • Annual Diesel Savings: ~5000 liters.
  • Annual CO₂ Reduction: ~13.4 tons(1 liter diesel = 2.68 kg CO₂).
  • Decarbonization effect reduced wear and tear, improving engine life and efficiency.
  • Drivers reported smoother performance, no smoke, and faster pickup.
  • Enhanced combustion led to reduced particulate emissions and overall environmental impact.

Lessons Learned and Innovations

  • Even after the system was temporarily shut down, the cleaner engine delivered better mileage compared to the pre-installation average.
  • Contaminated tap water destroyed the electrolyzer plates.
  • Solution: Introduced a water protection system to detect and prevent impure water usage, ensuring system longevity.
  • Developed AI-based remote tuning for fuel efficiency and emission optimization without requiring on-site technicians.
  • Incorporated GPS and CAN data for precise mileage and fuel consumption tracking.

Conclusion

GreenDrive Neo not only improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions but also delivers long-term benefits like engine decarbonization and health improvement. For this Ashok Leyland BS4 bus, the system demonstrated:

  • Up to 22% fuel savings.
  • Improved engine life with better combustion.
  • Enhanced driver satisfaction and reduced operational costs.

This case underscores the transformative potential of GreenDrive Neo in making diesel engines cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable.