India Launches Pilot Projects for Hydrogen-Fuelled Buses and Trucks

The Indian government launched five pilot projects to try out hydrogen-fueled buses and trucks under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). The program has been designed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and economic viability of hydrogen as a transportation fuel in actual operating conditions. 37 hydrogen vehicles, comprising 15 fuel cell vehicles and 22 internal combustion engine-based vehicles, will be operational on ten routes across India. The plan also includes the building of nine hydrogen fuel stations.

Hydrogen Cars to Operate along Ten Corridors
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had earlier issued guidelines for implementation of pilot projects in the transport sector under the NGHM. Following this, tenders were invited for different types of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, operating routes, and refueling points. After consideration of different applications, the ministry sanctioned five projects and granted an approximate ₹208 crore of funding support from the central government.

The corridors selected for hydrogen trucks and buses are the prime traffic routes of:

Greater Noida – Delhi – Agra
Bhubaneshwar – Konark – Puri
Ahmedabad – Vadodara – Surat
Sahibabad – Faridabad – Delhi
Pune – Mumbai
Jamshedpur – Kalinga Nagar
Thiruvananthapuram – Kochi
Kochi – Edappally
Jamnagar – Ahmedabad
NH-16 Visakhapatnam – Bayyavaram
The pilot projects have been awarded to the leading companies like Tata Motors, Reliance Industries, NTPC, ANERT, Ashok Leyland, HPCL, BPCL, and IOCL. These companies will implement hydrogen cars and set up refueling stations. The projects will be operational within the next 18-24 months, which is a significant step for India towards clean energy transport.

Objectives of the Hydrogen Vehicle Pilot Projects
The primary aim of the pilot schemes is to produce commercially competitive hydrogen fuelled vehicles and supporting infrastructure. The trials will provide information on the safety, efficiency, and economic competitiveness of hydrogen as a transport fuel. The project will:

Demonstrate the safe operation of hydrogen fuelled buses and trucks.
Assess the efficiency and technical performance of hydrogen fuel cells and internal combustion engines.
Provide an assessment of the real-world feasibility of hydrogen refuelling stations.
Reduce dependence on fossil fuels and carbon emissions in the transport sector.
With the integration of hydrogen into the transport sector, the government aims to achieve long-term energy security as well as contribute to the world effort of reducing carbon footprints.

India's Green Hydrogen Pledge
The National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched on January 4, 2023, with a budget of ₹19,744 crore approved until FY 2029-30. The objective of the mission is to position India as the pioneer country of green hydrogen production and utilization. The mission aligns with India's greater desire to reduce the import of fossil fuels and minimize carbon emission. The pilot schemes in the transport sector are a crucial part of the mission and pave the way for the formulation of an umbrella for further implementation of hydrogen on large-scale levels in the long term.

The deployment of hydrogen-powered buses and trucks is likely to induce innovation in clean transportation solutions. Data collected via such pilot programs will guide policymaking, infrastructure investment, and mass production of hydrogen-powered vehicles across the country.

Conclusion
The launch of pilot operations for hydrogen-fueled trucks and buses is a key milestone in India's transition towards clean energy. With the support of top industry players and government incentives, the initiative is likely to pave the way for extensive use of hydrogen fuel in the transport sector. The success of the pilot runs will determine the fate of hydrogen mobility in India, driving the country towards a cleaner and greener transport segment.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi, Government of India.