Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated a groundbreaking initiative in Delhi on Monday by flagging off the country’s first green hydrogen fuel cell bus. This milestone marks a significant step towards transforming India’s transportation sector into a cleaner and more sustainable mode of mobility. The green hydrogen-powered buses will now undergo rigorous operational trials across the national capital and the National Capital Region (NCR), covering a total distance of more than 3 lakh kilometers. These trials will generate crucial data that will serve as a national repository for future developments in hydrogen-based transportation.
Speaking at the event, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized the importance of green hydrogen in shaping the future of transportation. He noted that India possesses one of the world’s largest synchronous grids, capable of efficiently handling intermittent renewable energy sources. This infrastructure sets the stage for the widespread adoption of green hydrogen as a clean and reliable fuel source.
Hydrogen is hailed as the fuel of the future and holds immense potential in helping India achieve its decarbonization targets. Globally, the demand for hydrogen is projected to increase four to seven times by 2050, reaching an estimated 500-800 million tonnes. Domestically, India’s demand for hydrogen is set to quadruple, rising from the current 6 million tonnes to an estimated 25-28 million tonnes by 2050.
The green hydrogen-powered buses are not only eco-friendly but also practical. They are equipped with four cylinders, each with a capacity of 30 kg, enabling the buses to cover distances of up to 350 kilometers on a single refill. Moreover, refueling times have been significantly reduced, with the four tanks taking just 0-12 minutes to fill. Green hydrogen is a 100% sustainable fuel that neither emits polluting gases during combustion nor during its production process.
Minister Puri emphasized the government’s commitment to clean and green energy and its ambitious plans for India’s low-carbon development. He highlighted India’s role in accounting for 25% of global incremental energy demand growth over the next two decades through emerging fuels like hydrogen and biofuels.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is actively driving various initiatives related to green hydrogen, including its production and utilization in refineries, hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines, localization of electrolyzer-based technologies, and the promotion of bio-pathways for green hydrogen production.
In addition to the green hydrogen bus initiative, India is making strides in cleaner technologies, as evidenced by the recent launch of the world’s first Bharat Stage 6 (Stage II) Electrified Flex Fuel vehicle prototype. With collaboration between industry and government, India is well on its way to becoming a global hub for cleaner technologies and achieving energy self-reliance in the near future.
The introduction of India’s first green hydrogen fuel cell bus represents a significant leap forward in the country’s journey towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation. This initiative aligns with India’s ambitious clean energy goals and underscores the nation’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and embracing innovative solutions for a greener future.
