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US car company DaimlerChrysler has launched the 'test-phase' of its bio-diesel car project. The project, which was started in August 2003 in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Hohenheim University, Germany, involves running the Mercedes-Benz C-Class car on bio-diesel over 5,000 km.
The test-car would travel from the company's Pune factory, through Bangalore, Kochi, Coimbatore, Chennai and other major southern cities. The vehicle would also be driven to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and New Delhi.
The five-year project focuses on trial operations with bio-diesel, generated from Jatropha plants cultivated on eroded soils, as well as on the preparations for subsequent usage in internal combustion engines.
Hans-Michael Huber, chief executive of DaimlerChrysler India, said the project has been launched to demonstrate the viability of eco-friendly bio-diesel as a suitable alternative to conventional fuels, especially in India.
"Through this is a trial run, we will also conduct further tests for emission properties, power, and drive systems compatibility," he said.