New Delhi: Tata Motors has commenced the country’s first-ever hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck trials.
The initiative, aimed at boosting India’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, was flagged off by Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, along with Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors. Other key officials from the central government and industry stakeholders were also present at the event.
The trials, conducted under the National Green Hydrogen Mission and funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, mark a crucial advancement in assessing the feasibility of hydrogen-powered vehicles for long-haul cargo transportation.
This initiative also focuses on developing the necessary infrastructure to support hydrogen mobility across the country.
Spanning up to 24 months, the trial will see the deployment of 16 advanced hydrogen-powered trucks with varying configurations and payload capacities. These vehicles incorporate Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (H2-FCEV) technologies.
The trucks will be tested on major freight corridors, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar, to evaluate their performance in real-world commercial applications.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized the transformative potential of hydrogen in India’s transportation sector, stating:
“Hydrogen is the fuel of the future with immense potential to transform India’s transportation sector by reducing emissions and enhancing energy self-reliance. Such initiatives will accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in heavy-duty trucking, and move us closer to an efficient, low-carbon future. I congratulate Tata Motors for taking the lead in this significant step towards enabling hydrogen-powered green and smart transportation.”
Highlighting the role of green hydrogen in India’s energy transition, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said: “
“Hydrogen is an important fuel for India’s transition to a sustainable and zero-carbon future. The beginning of this trial is a significant step forward in showcasing the potential of green hydrogen in decarbonizing India’s transportation sector. This initiative, part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, reflects our commitment to driving innovation and achieving India’s energy independence while contributing to global climate goals. I applaud Tata Motors for taking the lead in this pioneering effort.”
Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors, reiterated the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility, stating:
“Today, with the commencement of these hydrogen truck trials, we are proud to further this legacy by pioneering the transition to clean, zero-emission energy for long-haul transportation. We are grateful to the Government of India for their visionary leadership in making this possible, and we remain committed to playing our part in building sustainable, future-ready mobility solutions that will deliver better performance and efficiency.”
The vehicles deployed for these trials showcase Tata Motors’ advanced hydrogen mobility technology, incorporating both H2-ICE and H2-FCEV solutions. Among them are the Tata Prima H.55S prime movers—one utilizing H2-ICE technology and the other powered by FCEV, along with the Tata Prima H.28, an advanced H2-ICE truck. With an operational range of 300-500 km, these trucks are engineered to deliver sustainable, cost-effective and high-performance freight transportation.
Additionally, the vehicles feature Tata Motors’ premium Prima cabin, integrated driver-assist safety features, and enhanced comfort measures aimed at improving driver productivity and reducing fatigue.
Tata Motors has been a leader in alternative-fuel commercial vehicles across various segments, including small commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, and vans. The company had previously won a tender for 15 Hydrogen FCEV buses, which are now successfully deployed on Indian roads, further reinforcing its position as a frontrunner in clean mobility solutions.
The hydrogen truck trials represent a crucial step towards decarbonizing India’s freight transportation sector and reinforcing the country’s commitment to green energy solutions.
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