Govt Launches Hydrogen-Fuelled Bus & Truck Pilot Projects Under NGHM
The Government of India has launched hydrogen-fuelled bus & truck pilot projects as part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
These projects aim to test the feasibility of hydrogen-powered mobility in India by deploying 37 hydrogen-fuelled vehicles across 10 major routes. The initiative includes 15 hydrogen fuel cell-based vehicles and 22 hydrogen internal combustion engine-based vehicles.
With a financial outlay of ₹208 crore, these pilot projects will help assess the technical feasibility, economic viability, and safety of hydrogen as a fuel for transportation.
The pilots are expected to be commissioned within 18 to 24 months and will lay the groundwork for scaling up hydrogen-powered mobility in India.
Also Read: List of Made in India Hydrogen Buses Empowering Sustainable Mobility
Key Highlights of Hydrogen-Fuelled Bus & Truck Pilot Projects
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Hydrogen-Fuelled Bus & Truck Pilot Projects |
| Total Vehicles | 37 |
| Vehicle Types | 15 Hydrogen Fuel Cell-Based & 22 Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine-Based |
| Routes Covered | 10 Major Routes Across India |
| Financial Support | ₹208 Crore |
| Project Duration | 18 to 24 Months |
| Supporting Companies | Tata Motors, Reliance Industries, NTPC, Ashok Leyland, HPCL, BPCL, IOCL, etc. |
| Hydrogen Refuelling Stations | 9 |
Objectives of the Projects Launched
The pilot projects aim to:
- Validate technical feasibility and safety of hydrogen-powered buses and trucks.
- Assess economic viability of hydrogen as a fuel for long-distance and intra-city transport.
- Develop infrastructure, including refuelling stations for hydrogen-powered mobility.
- Promote large-scale adoption of hydrogen in India’s transportation sector.
Major Routes Covered
The vehicles will operate on 10 major transport routes, covering key urban and industrial centers:
| Route | Cities Covered |
|---|---|
| Greater Noida – Delhi – Agra | Delhi-NCR to Agra |
| Bhubaneshwar – Konark – Puri | Odisha tourism corridor |
| Ahmedabad – Vadodara – Surat | Gujarat industrial belt |
| Sahibabad – Faridabad – Delhi | NCR region connectivity |
| Pune – Mumbai | Maharashtra commercial corridor |
| Jamshedpur – Kalinga Nagar | Industrial hub connection |
| Thiruvananthapuram – Kochi | Kerala transport network |
| Kochi – Edappally | Urban mobility test |
| Jamnagar – Ahmedabad | Gujarat hydrogen corridor |
| NH-16 Visakhapatnam – Bayyavaram | Eastern corridor connectivity |
Key Companies Involved in the Pilot Project
Several major Indian automotive and energy companies have been entrusted with the implementation of these projects:
- TATA Motors Limited
- Reliance Industries Limited
- NTPC
- Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT)
- Ashok Leyland
- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
Also Read: Govt Approves 9,800 E-Buses for Bengaluru, Hyderabad Under PM E-Drive Scheme
To ensure the success of the hydrogen-fuelled bus & truck pilot projects , nine hydrogen refuelling stations will be developed along the selected routes.
These stations will serve as crucial hubs for refuelling hydrogen-powered vehicles and ensuring seamless operations.
