India’s Green Hydrogen Mission aims to introduce about 50 hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles on the roads this year. The plan is to scale up the deployment starting 2025, reaching over 1,000 such vehicles by 2030.
Focus on Medium and Heavy-Duty Transport
The initiative targets medium and heavy commercial vehicles, mainly used for long-distance freight. These vehicles contribute significantly to emissions, and battery-electric options are less practical here due to heavy battery weight and size. Hydrogen fuel is considered a viable alternative.
Advantages of Hydrogen Fuel
Hydrogen offers a higher energy density than batteries and requires lighter storage, making it suitable for large vehicles. When produced using renewable energy, hydrogen fuel emits no carbon. The government is exploring both hydrogen fuel cell technology and internal combustion engines (ICE) running on hydrogen, with ICE adoption expected to be faster initially due to easier integration.
National Green Hydrogen Mission Goals
Launched in 2023, the mission targets producing at least 5 million metric tonnes per year of green hydrogen by 2030 and establishing 60 to 100 GW of electrolyser capacity. The budget allocated is ₹19,744 crore to be used through 2029-30.
Industry Participation and Infrastructure Development
Major Indian companies like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Olectra Greentech are developing hydrogen-powered vehicles. Pilot projects are underway, supported by Reliance Industries, BPCL, and HPCL, focusing on setting up hydrogen refueling stations on key freight corridors.
Phased Transition to Hydrogen Transport
The government, along with industry partners, is gradually introducing hydrogen vehicles to reduce emissions in the transport sector. The multi-fuel strategy aims for a cleaner and sustainable future in freight and public transportation.
