Delhi to Get India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus on September 25

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is set to inaugurate India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus at Kartavya Path in Delhi on September 25, 2023.

New Delhi, September 22: India is poised to make a historic leap toward eco-friendly transportation as Hardeep Singh Puri, the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs, is scheduled to inaugurate India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus at Kartavya Path in Delhi on September 25.

These buses are provided by Indian Oil.

Indian Oil has launched a meticulously planned program to carry out operational tests of 15 Hydrogen Fuel Cell buses along designated routes in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Additionally, Indian Oil has established a cutting-edge dispensing facility at its R&D campus in Faridabad, capable of refueling green hydrogen produced through electrolysis using solar PV panels.

Previously, NTPC Limited took a similar step by initiating the trial of India’s first hydrogen bus in the scenic area of Leh, located in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh in August 2023.

Green Hydrogen, produced through renewable energy sources, has the potential to play a crucial role in low-carbon and self-sustaining economic pathways, according to a press release from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

It offers the promise of utilizing domestically abundant renewable energy resources year-round across various sectors, either as a fuel or an industrial feedstock.

Green Hydrogen can replace fossil fuel-derived feedstocks in industries such as petroleum refining, fertilizer production, and steel manufacturing.

Fuel cell technology, which is powered by hydrogen, is emerging as a significant component of the electric mobility landscape.

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In a fuel cell, an electrochemical reaction occurs. It transforms hydrogen at the anode and oxygen from the air at the cathode into water, while releasing electrical energy in the form of electrons.

Fuel cells offer remarkable efficiency compared to other mobility solutions and provide distinct advantages, including extended range and shorter refueling times compared to battery-powered vehicles.

Hydrogen fuel technology is especially beneficial for the bus industry because buses normally have to travel long distances within a stipulated time.

Typically, hydrogen gas is stored in vehicles in cylinders at a pressure of 350 bar.

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The launch of the first set of India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus from India Gate on September 25, 2023, marks a significant milestone in this endeavor.

This initiative marks India’s pioneering effort to distribute green hydrogen at 350 bar specifically for powering fuel cell buses.

These two Hydrogen fuel Cell Buses will collectively cover a mileage of more than 3 lakh kilometers as part of a long-term assessment of the technology’s performance and durability.

This significant step underscores India’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions.