The government has launched five pilot projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to introduce hydrogen fuel in buses and trucks. These initiatives aim to test the feasibility of using hydrogen as a fuel in the transport sector. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had earlier issued guidelines for implementing pilot projects and invited proposals for different types of hydrogen-powered vehicles, routes, and refueling stations. After a detailed review, the ministry approved five pilot projects, which will involve the deployment of 37 hydrogen-powered vehicles, including 15 hydrogen fuel cell-based vehicles and 22 hydrogen internal combustion engine-based vehicles. Along with these vehicles, nine hydrogen refueling stations will be set up.

The selected routes for the trial include Greater Noida to Delhi to Agra, Bhubaneshwar to Konark to Puri, Ahmedabad to Vadodara to Surat, Sahibabad to Faridabad to Delhi, Pune to Mumbai, Jamshedpur to Kalinga Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi, Kochi to Edappally, Jamnagar to Ahmedabad, and NH-16 from Visakhapatnam to Bayyavaram. Major companies like TATA Motors Ltd, Reliance Industries Limited, NTPC, ANERT, Ashok Leyland, HPCL, BPCL, and IOCL have been awarded these projects. The government has allocated financial support of around ₹208 crore for these pilot projects. These projects are expected to be commissioned within the next 18 to 24 months, paving the way for the large-scale adoption of hydrogen technology in India’s transportation sector.

The key focus of this initiative is to develop commercially viable technologies that enable the use of hydrogen as a fuel for buses and trucks. The plan also includes establishing the necessary infrastructure, such as hydrogen refueling stations, to support the operation of these vehicles. By implementing these projects, the government aims to assess the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of hydrogen-powered vehicles under real-world conditions. The trials will help evaluate the technical feasibility, operational performance, and economic viability of hydrogen as a fuel for heavy vehicles.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched on January 4, 2023, with a total budget of ₹19,744 crore to be spent until the financial year 2029-30. The mission aligns with India’s goal of becoming self-reliant in clean energy and serves as an inspiration for the global transition to clean energy solutions. It is expected to lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions, lower dependence on fossil fuel imports, and position India as a leader in green hydrogen technology and market development.

The pilot projects under this mission are an important step toward demonstrating the potential of hydrogen as a fuel for transportation. By gradually introducing hydrogen-powered buses and trucks, the government aims to promote sustainable mobility and reduce the environmental impact of conventional fuel-based transport. The findings from these projects will provide valuable insights into how hydrogen can be integrated into India’s transportation network in the future.