YOGYAKARTA – Universitas Gadjah Mada’s gas fueled car took an endurance test. The car will travel from Yogyakarta to Jakarta using fuel Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The release of the car was done symbolically by UGM Rector Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D., in Balairung Hall, Tuesday (17/4). He was accompanied by the Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences who has been elected Rector for 2012-2017, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M. Soc. Sc, and also UGM gas car converter kit researcher, Dr. Jayan Sentanuhady.
To reporters Jayan Sentanuhady said the design of the converter kit gas car uses two types of fuel tanks with a capacity of 60 liters of water or the equivalent of 16 liters of premium scale (LSP). According to Jayan, the design of the converter kit uses simple technology. "Technology wise, it is not too high, but for mass production it needs support from the government, politicians and industry," said Jayan who took three years doing research on CNG conversion.
Of the result of team from Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering UGM, the use of CNG is more efficient by 20 percent compared to the premium. The use of 1 liter gas can travel a distance of 12 km. By UGM team research, the converter kit has been installed on a 1600 cc car capable to travel 120 kilometers per hour. "There was a significant difference in the use of gas fuel," he said.
Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D., welcomed the endurance test to disseminate the finding of UGM. "The researchers have found the product. We continue to encourage research to proceed to mass production," he said.
Similarly, Prof. Dr. Pratikno confirmed the automotive technology innovation by UGM researchers is expected to encourage nation’s independence in mastering automotive technology. Pratikno recognized, in the past decades ago, Indonesian people managed to create a prototype of the latest technology in the automotive field. However, the finding was only prototypes, never developed further into mass production. "Surely, there is a missing link. It should not just stop at finding the technology, but to bring the product to the public at affordable prices. It requires political, financial and fiscal supports and socio-cultural change," he said.
Head of Industrial Development and Research Service, Institute of Research and Community Service UGM, Dr. Yusril Yusuf, said the endurance test on car gas is also to mark the exhibition of UGM’s products in the automotive, food and drugs. The exhibition is held on 19 April at UGM Campus Jakarta.