NEW DELHI: India has taken a major step toward its net-zero emissions goal for 2070 with the launch of the 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 Tuesday, the ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari called hydrogen the “fuel of the future” with the potential to revolutionize India’s transport sector by cutting emissions and boosting energy self-reliance.
“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,” he said.
Union minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi emphasised the role of hydrogen in India’s transition to a zero-carbon economy. “The launch of this trial is a crucial milestone in showcasing green hydrogen’s potential to decarbonize India’s transport sector.
As part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, this initiative reflects our commitment to innovation, energy independence, and global climate goals. I applaud Tata Motors for pioneering this effort,” Joshi said.
This trial represents a key move towards sustainable long-haul cargo transport, 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. The trial aims to evaluate the real-world feasibility of hydrogen-powered trucks while establishing the necessary infrastructure for their widespread use.
The trial phase will run for up to 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, will be tested on key freight routes, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar.
Tata Motors’ Executive Director Girish Wagh highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility. “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,” he said.
