India may get start-stop system for motorcycles

Motorcycles in India may get the start-Stop system. It automatically shuts down and restarts the internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of time the engine spends idling, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions. This system is currently being used on high-end cars in India and most of the cars in Europe. 

TE Connectivity – the leading manufacturer of this technology is in talks with leading two-wheeler manufacturer in India to introduce it in the Indian market in next few months. The company already supplies this technology to German manufactures such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

This technology seems most applicable on gearless two-wheelers but the company is believed to be targeting the motorcycle segment due to its huge volumes. The start-stop system will work only in neutral, as the system sensor wont function in a geared position since it cannot start without the engaging of the clutch.

The start-stop system, if launched, will add an extra cost to the overall price of the motorcycle, but being a one-time investment, Indian consumers are likely to get enticed by it. The need for such a system seems even more urgent when we consider the high price of petrol in our country. The company wants this system to have a fixed pricing for the mass market segment and will be retrofitted initially.

"We cannot disclose the detail of our customer right now, but we are working with a Tier-1 supplier for the design of the components. The tier–1 is a multinational company and we are in an advance stage of discussion. If everything goes well, in a few months we will see it in the market.  Initially it will be retrofitted.  We are in the design stage and will start the supply in the next three months. But I think it is just a question of time. I hope very soon even the two-wheeler OEMs will take it up.” said S Vishwanath, director, TE Connectivity.

Source: Overdrive