India is stepping up efforts to decarbonise heavy-duty road transport, with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) collaborating with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to develop and standardise hydrogen-powered truck engines and testing procedures.
According to a report by Mint, citing two people familiar with the development and ARAI’s FY26 annual report, the initiative focuses on hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) powertrains for heavy-duty vehicles.
As part of the programme, ARAI is developing a direct-injection hydrogen engine designed for heavy trucks. The organisation is also working on standardised testing protocols for hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (H2FCVs).
The initiative aims to establish the technical and testing framework required to evaluate the performance and suitability of hydrogen-based technologies for India’s heavy-duty transport sector.
Hydrogen internal combustion engines use hydrogen as fuel to generate mechanical power through combustion, operating on principles similar to conventional diesel engines. In contrast, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles convert hydrogen into electricity through a chemical process, which powers an electric motor.
Both technologies are being explored as potential alternatives to diesel-powered freight transport, offering different approaches to reducing emissions from heavy commercial vehicles.
Although diesel trucks account for around 5 per cent of India’s vehicle fleet, they contribute more than a third of the transport sector’s carbon emissions, highlighting the importance of cleaner technologies in freight movement.
The development also comes amid growing concerns over vehicular pollution in Indian cities, particularly during winter, when deteriorating air quality has become a major concern.
Establishing common testing standards will be important for assessing the efficiency, safety, reliability and operational suitability of hydrogen-powered vehicles before their wider adoption.
The initiative forms part of India’s broader efforts to promote clean energy in transportation and advance its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.