NEW DELHI: India has made a significant advancement towards achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2070 with the initiation of the inaugural trials for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks. During the event, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari referred to hydrogen as the “fuel of the future,” highlighting its potential to transform India’s transportation sector by reducing emissions and enhancing energy self-sufficiency. “This initiative will expedite the transition to sustainable mobility in heavy-duty trucking and bring us closer to a low-carbon future. Tata Motors has headed this important move towards environmentally friendly and intelligent transportation,” he stated. Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi underscored the significance of hydrogen in India’s journey towards a zero-carbon economy. “The commencement of this trial marks a vital milestone in demonstrating the potential of green hydrogen to decarbonize India’s transport sector. As part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, this initiative signifies our dedication to innovation, energy independence, and global climate objectives.
This trial signifies a significant advancement in the pursuit of sustainable long-haul cargo transportation, in line with India’s overarching green energy goals. Tata Motors has been awarded the contract for this initiative, which is financed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy as part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The objective of the trial is to assess the practical viability of hydrogen-powered trucks while developing the essential infrastructure for their extensive deployment. The trial period is set to last for up to 24 months, during which 16 hydrogen-powered trucks with diverse configurations and payload capacities will be utilized.
These vehicles, featuring Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technologies, will undergo testing on major freight corridors, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar. Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors, emphasized the company’s dedication to sustainable mobility. He stated, “Tata Motors is honored to spearhead India’s shift towards greener and more intelligent transportation solutions. With a history of fostering innovation, we are eager to lead the way in zero-emission options for long-haul logistics. We extend our gratitude to the Government of India for their visionary guidance in facilitating this initiative and remain devoted to developing future-ready mobility solutions that improve efficiency and performance.”
