Giving thrust to the net zero emission target by 2070, the country launched its first-ever trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks. Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Pralhad Joshi flagged off the trials, conducted by Tata Motors, in New Delhi on March 4, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said.
During the event, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari referred to hydrogen as the “fuel of the future” with its ability to transform India’s transport sector while laying focus on reducing the country’s carbon emissions.
He said, “This initiative will accelerate the shift towards sustainable mobility in heavy-duty trucking and bring us closer to a low-carbon future. I commend Tata Motors for leading this significant step towards green and smart transportation.”
On the other hand, Union minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi laid focus on hydrogen’s role in transitioning India to a zero-carbon economy. He said, “The launch of this trial is a crucial milestone in showcasing green hydrogen’s potential to decarbonize India’s transport sector.”
The trial represents the country’s step towards sustainability, while aligning with India’s broader green energy objectives. Tata Motors secured the tender for the project, which is funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Additionally, the trial will be completed in 24 months, deploying 16 hydrogen-powered trucks with various configurations and payload capacities. These vehicles, equipped with Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technologies, which will be tested on key freight routes, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar.
Tata Motors’ Executive Director Girish Wagh said, “Tata Motors is proud to lead India’s transition to greener and smarter transportation. With a legacy of driving innovation, we are excited to pioneer zero-emission solutions for long-haul logistics. We are grateful to the Government of India for their visionary leadership in making this possible and remain committed to building future-ready mobility solutions that enhance efficiency and performance.”
