Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, inaugurated the launch of the country’s inaugural green hydrogen fuel cell bus today at Kartavya Path in Delhi. This milestone marks the commencement of operational trials for 15 fuel cell buses powered by green hydrogen, all designated for specific routes across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The unveiling ceremony took place at India Gate, featuring the first two of these innovative fuel cell buses.
Green hydrogen, produced through renewable energy sources, is positioned to play a pivotal role in India’s low-carbon and self-reliant economic strategies. It holds the potential to harness abundant domestic renewable energy resources throughout the year, catering to various sectors as either a clean fuel or an industrial feedstock. Green hydrogen has the capability to replace fossil fuel-derived feedstocks in essential industries such as petroleum refining, fertilizer production, and steel manufacturing.
Fuel cell technology is emerging as a key player in the realm of electric mobility. Hydrogen, when used as a fuel for fuel cells, undergoes an electrochemical process that converts hydrogen and oxygen from the air into water, generating electrical energy in the form of electrons. Fuel cell vehicles are renowned for their high efficiency, extended range, and shorter refueling times compared to battery-powered vehicles. These vehicles store hydrogen gas compressed in cylinders onboard, typically at a pressure of 350 bar.
IndianOil has taken pioneering steps by launching a meticulously planned program to conduct operational trials of 15 fuel cell buses powered by green hydrogen along selected routes in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The program kicks off with the introduction of the first two fuel cell buses at India Gate on September 25, 2023. This initiative represents a groundbreaking endeavor in India as it involves the dispensing of green hydrogen at 350 bar pressure to operate fuel cell buses. Additionally, IndianOil has established a state-of-the-art refueling facility at its R&D Faridabad campus, capable of refueling green hydrogen produced through electrolysis using solar PV panels.
Looking ahead, once these initial two buses are launched, they will collectively cover more than 300,000 kilometers as part of a long-term assessment to evaluate the performance and durability of this groundbreaking technology. The data generated from these rigorous trials will serve as a valuable national repository, shaping the future of zero-emission mobility in India, all powered by green hydrogen.
