The Government of India has launched five pilot projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to integrate hydrogen fuel into the transport sector, specifically for buses and trucks. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had previously outlined guidelines for implementing these initiatives and subsequently invited proposals for various hydrogen-based vehicles, operational routes, and hydrogen refuelling stations.

Following a thorough evaluation, the Ministry approved five pilot projects involving 37 hydrogen-powered vehicles—comprising 15 fuel cell-based and 22 internal combustion engine-based vehicles. These vehicles will operate across ten designated routes, including Greater Noida–Delhi–Agra, Bhubaneshwar–Konark–Puri, Ahmedabad–Vadodara–Surat, Sahibabad–Faridabad–Delhi, Pune–Mumbai, Jamshedpur–Kalinga Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram–Kochi, Kochi–Edappally, Jamnagar–Ahmedabad, and NH-16 Visakhapatnam–Bayyavaram. To support this initiative, nine hydrogen refueling stations will be established. The projects have been awarded to leading companies such as TATA Motors, Reliance Industries, NTPC, ANERT, Ashok Leyland, HPCL, BPCL, and IOCL.

The Government has allocated financial support of approximately Rs 2.08 billion for the implementation of these pilot projects, which are expected to be operational within the next 18 to 24 months. This initiative aims to develop commercially viable hydrogen-powered transportation solutions and establish the necessary infrastructure, including refuelling stations.

The broader objective of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched on January 4, 2023, with an outlay of Rs 197.44 billion until FY 2029-30, is to promote clean energy adoption, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and position India as a leader in green hydrogen technology. These pilot projects will facilitate real-world testing, assess economic viability, and contribute to the long-term transition towards a hydrogen-based transportation ecosystem.

News source: PIB