'Consumer decides viability of a technology'

"Customers ultimately decide which technology to be used. Any technology cannot be imposed upon the consumer," said Haren S Gandhi, Ford technical fellow, Ford Motor Company Research Laboratory, Dearborn at Michigan.

He was addressing the mediapersons on 'Future Emission Trends, Euro 4 and beyond' and Ford's initiative for a cleaner world. Gandhi is a leading global expert in the field of automotive emissions control.

He pointed out that automotive companies had developed electricity-based vehicles which did not take off as customers did not go for them. They decide the viability and affordability of any technology.

Gandhi elaborated that Ford had introduced the hybrid technology for heavier vehicles like the sports utility vehicles.

"Hybrid technology is fuel efficient and environmental friendly with reduced level of emissions. The cars that use this hybrid technology are prohibitively priced at present," he added.

As a technologist, Gandhi said, he cannot predictwhen would hybrid technology become more affordable.

Talking on alternative fuels, he said that each country had to find solutions to the complex issues of energy deficit. Ford Motor Company has been promoting new products that use ethanol-based fuel.

Two important factors have to be considered when choosing alternative fuels: First, it should be sustainable and it should be environment-friendly also.

Move from Hydrocarbons to Hydrogen as an alternative technology is what technologists are working on so as to reduce the emission of carbons from vehicles and thereby ensuring a cleaner environment, he added.