With BSIV introduction the entire EarthMaster Range of Backhoe Loaders is enhanced both in terms of productivity and features.

– Jalaj Gupta

Business Head, Commercial Vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra

How is the market for diesel engines in the construction equipment segment progressing?

Diesel Engine Market in India is expected to have a substantial growth in upcoming years, as the usage of the engines are a major source of power. Increase in utilization of engines in construction, agricultural, automobile, and industrial verticals is a trend in developing countries. Construction Equipment is one such major application equipment using diesel Engines as a main power source.

The range from 31-100 Hp diesel engines forms the major share of volumes produced. The key revenue generating segment for this range is Passenger vehicles, tractors, and construction equipment. However, the ratio of Construction equipment is low compared to the volumes required for passenger and Agri machines. Still there is no substitute for diesel in construction equipment segment. The trend shows consistent use of diesel engines in construction Equipment and shifting to electric and CNG engines in other segments.

With Infrastructure sector in full swing and focused approach by government, the rise in Construction equipment market is assured. All these equipment run on high HP engine which runs on diesel.

The concept of electric drivelines and electromobility seems to be changing the scene in the off-highway vehicles/equipment segment abroad. How do you look at the impact of this development in India?

Diesel engines produce harmful gasses, and we cannot deny with this fact. India has committed to global pollution control targets set by the world. We are working on better options for petroleum products as a source of energy. Electric is a suitable alternative to same. But current focus of the government is towards passenger vehicle segment. As per reports government is targeting to convert 70% of automobiles to electric by 2030. It is only based on sheer volume of engines present and exhausting harmful pollutants. The volume of Construction equipment Engines is exceptionally low, and we really do not think there will be any impact on electromobility is impacting CE segment in near future at least in India.

With the next level of emission regulations, engine manufacturers are taking up major tasks on design changes and upgraded after-treatment solutions. What are your initiatives in the backdrop of the changing emission regulations?

As the world realised the growing importance of reducing carbon footprint and countries adopted stringent measures for controlling polluting vehicular emissions, India too introduced stricter emission norms. Bharat Stage Emission Standards (BSES) has started in 2000 by the Government of India, in a bid to control air pollution from vehicular engine emissions.

To follow BS standards, updating the engine from before next gen becomes necessary. The major technology shift is that BSIV diesel engines must use the more advanced common rail technology instead of the old direct injection technology. Although, most OEMs had already made the shift to Common Rail Direct injection (CRDi) when BSIV emission norms are announced. This was necessary so that their diesel engine powered vehicles were compliant with the new emission standards.

Another important change now to meet BSIV norms is that BSIV diesel engines must be fitted with a bigger more powerful catalytic converter known as a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC). This mandatory fitment in diesel vehicles makes the fuel combustion process more efficient and reduces emission of harmful hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Also, all diesel vehicles in the new BSIV era are fitted with an Exhaust Gas Regulator or EGR, and a Urea injector called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). The latter cuts down NOx vapour emissions by breaking it down and converting NOx molecules into Nitrogen and H2O.

Apart from adopting newer engine technology, there are electronically driven changes too when it comes to differences in BSIII and BSIV norms. To be BSIV compliant, vehicles need to have On Board Diagnostics (OBD) whereby an in-vehicle electronic panel will continuously monitor engine performance and display the vehicle’s vital stats in real time.

With BSIV introduction the entire EarthMaster Range of Backhoe Loaders is enhanced both in terms of productivity and features. Powered with a dependable 74 HP CRi Mahindra Engine, it now has 13% higher torque compared to BSIII leading to improved machine’s loader efficiency. With improved hydraulic system which has a higher flow handling capacity, and other improvements leads to overall production capacities improvement of 10%. With quintennial and unique features as Banana Boom, joystick lever, robust design, and bigger buckets, EarthMaster range is well suited for all types of backhoe applications be it mining, trenching, crushers, building construction or any other work in construction industry. It would be available in two variants – SX & VX.

What are the major challenges faced by manufacturers in the diesel engine market?

Rising input costs led to margin pressures/ erosion for CE industry. With BS-IV emission standards introduced in the industry brought change in technology and further impacted the cost of equipment. And we have only 3 years window between BSIV to BSV transition. Upcoming BSV regulation will further make the product costly. This has impacted the overall purchasing power of customers and thereby de-growing the industry volumes.

To counter same along with the most optimised product range, we are also collaborating with key financiers to provide an increased loan tenure with better LTV to our customers. Also, customers’ penchant to stick to tried and tested is one of the most difficult challenges. It is here that the guarantees announced with Mahindra EarthMaster, could help us make a change.

What are the opportunities and growth prospects for engines?

Agri machines, construction equipment sector, Industrial Engines are the segment with opportunities for diesel engine, with stringent norms over pollution and alternate solutions developing in the lower HP section, the passenger and commercial vehicle segments will slowly shift away from Diesel.

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