Showcases products for BS-VI powertrains and EV ecosystem
Alkraft Thermotechnologies, a pioneer in aluminum engine cooling systems in the country, launched a range of heat transfer systems addressing the most urgent challenges facing the industry at the 14th Auto Expo (Components). The solutions for Electric Vehicles and BS6 compliant products, along with upcoming heat transfer systems for renewable energy applications were described by Alkraft as a glimpse into the future of its product range. Covering a wide range of heat transfer requirements including engine cooling, oil cooling, and drive motor and power electronics cooling, the products personified the company’s focus on developing cutting-edge technologies that drive the momentum into the future.
Asked about the company’s experience at Auto Expo, Mr. Basil Siddeeqi, Director, Alkraft, said that the response was phenomenal. “We participate in the Auto Expo regularly, but this edition has surpassed all previous years in terms of dynamism and interest from across industry segments for our products. The enquiries were overwhelming, and we got the opportunity to meet people from across the world representing OEMs, suppliers and systems makers, aftermarket dealers, etc.,” he observed.
Alkraft provides high performance heat exchangers and heat transfer systems to leading OEMs in the Indian automotive industry, especially in the commercial vehicle segment. Working with the major truck and bus manufacturers, Alkraft accounts for around thirty per cent of heat exchangers in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segments.
Challenging status quo
With BS6 compliance being a major talking points at the show this year, Alkraft made a significant impact by demonstrating its latest technologies in this area. Reflecting on the arduous challenges in store for OEMs in developing BS6 compliant engine systems, Mr. Siddeeqi said: “We must constantly challenge the status quo in terms of product design, validation, and technology so as to come up with innovative solutions to address BS6 related challenges. Technologies are getting complex, performance and fuel efficiency expectations are rising, and stringent validation is demanded. The short span of time left with us to adopt new norms demands radically new approaches to problem solving”. He suggested a blank-sheet approach for all manufacturers so as to eliminate legacy issues while transitioning from BS4 to BS6.
As far as the emergence of electric vehicles is concerned, Alkraft sees a whole new opportunity in the making. Mr. Siddeeqi pointed out that all the electric buses displayed at the motor show are using coolant circuit systems with radiators for power electronics and electric motors. “As a complete solution provider for powertrain thermal management, we have those technologies with us. With the development of EVs, the engineering architecture may undergo changes, but we will continue to provide heat-transfer systems of different kinds”, he explained.
There is a great need for close collaboration among various systems developers and OEMs in the present era of disruptive changes. The situation demands not just tweaks in products or technologies, but new ways of thinking about product development as well as manufacturing. Said Mr. Siddeeqi: “At Alkraft, we never stop pushing the boundaries in our mission to help our customers cope with the pace of change, and the disruption caused by new challenges”. He added: “Our unrelenting optimism and passion is encapsulated in our slogan that goes ‘When the heat is on, count on us’ ”.