Uttam Group launches mobile CNG refuelling unit, Ashvath

Uttam Group has launched ‘Ashvath’, an integrated CNG refueling unit in association with Mahanagar Gas for easy dispensing of CNG fuel into vehicles.  Ashvath will be operational in Mumbai, in partnership with MGL and other CGD (City Gas Distribution) companies, and would then follow a phase-wise expansion, across the country. 

Ashvath is a first of its kind Mobile Refuelling Unit (MRU) compact filling station mounted on a moving truck allowing CNG access to fleets virtually anywhere. The MRU unit was virtually unveiled by Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel. Speaking at the unveiling, the Minister said “Our aim is to give easy accessibility and make it affordable to the consumers by providing services at various locations. These CNG units will also aim at creating a clean, green and efficient fuel demand further leading to digitisation, setting up new career prospects and leading towards an Atmanirbar Bharat.” 

The government’s thrust to increase the quantum of gaseous fuel in the Indian energy market from the current 6.5 percent to 15 percent led to a development of this unit. The company claims that this mobile refuelling units offer a cost‐efficient way to mitigate the accessibility problem. The Standard capacity of Ashvath MRU is 8800 L WC storage cascade and the system is equipped with safety devices including TPRD (Thermally activated pressure relief device) which allows the cylinder to vent the gas at a high discharge rate.

Karan Bhatia, CEO, Uttam Group of Companies said, “This MRU will be a game changer for the energy industry. There are over 70 thousand petrol pumps in India out of which hardly 3000 pumps account for CNG stations, majority of which are in cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The Govt. is mandated to scale this number to 20 times. With the launch of this product, we can consider to equip and convert at least 50 percent standalone petrol pumps to all fuel stations without disturbing the infrastructure.”

Bhatia pointed out the challenges involved in setting up a new fuel station and the capital investment involved, “It requires close to Rs 15 - 20 crore of capital investment, then the availability of land at the right place is also a challenge but an MRU can mitigate all these factors at a fraction of the cost. A MRU unit with high CNG carrying capacity can fill up to 300 – 400 vehicles in one fill which definitely is revolutionary.” 

The Ashvath mobile refueller, combines all the elements provided in the static CNG station, into a compact unit which can be mounted on a standard LCV, MCV or HCV vehicle depending on the dispensing requirement.  Use of electricity is a major concern in handling combustible gases and the company devised the use of pneumatic air or Nitrogen storage tanks which do not need any kind of electricity to function.