In a significant milestone towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation, IndianOil has handed over a state-of-the-art green hydrogen fuel cell bus to the Indian Navy. This landmark event, underscored by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IndianOil and the Indian Navy, aims to pioneer the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell technology for heavy-duty e-mobility.
The MoU was exchanged at the Nau Sena Bhawan in New Delhi in the presence of Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, Mr. S M Vaidya, Chairman of IndianOil, and senior officials from both organizations. Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor, Controller of Logistics for the Indian Navy, and Dr. Kannan Chandrasekaran, Executive Director of IndianOil, represented their respective parties in the official signing.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration, stating, “The partnership between IndianOil and the Indian Navy is built on an unbreakable bond of trust. We will be testing one of the hydrogen buses and look forward to deploying environment-friendly transportation in larger numbers. I must thank IndianOil for choosing the Indian Navy as their partner. The bus will adorn our motto of – ‘Indian Navy – Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future Ready Force.'”
Mr. S M Vaidya, Chairman of IndianOil, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, saying, “Today, we come together to celebrate a significant milestone in our shared pursuit of sustainability and environmental stewardship through this advanced Green Hydrogen fuel cell bus to the Indian Navy, symbolizing our commitment to innovation and green technology.” He further added, “As we continue to support our defence forces with innovative, forward-looking solutions that cater to tomorrow’s needs, IndianOil has been leading the way in advancing green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.”
IndianOil is currently operating 15 fuel cell buses in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, with a collective mileage of 300,000 kilometres. Each bus is expected to run at least 20,000 kilometres, demonstrating the viability of this technology in real-world conditions.
This initiative aims to promote hydrogen and fuel cell technology for heavy-duty e-mobility, positioning the Indian Navy as a pioneer in evaluating this technology in collaboration with IndianOil, India’s premier energy company. The project will assess the performance of fuel cell electric buses for public transit in the demanding climatic conditions of the Delhi NCR region. It will analyze the impact of local fuel and air quality on fuel cell systems and vehicles and evaluate the effectiveness, longevity, and operational reliability of fuel cell buses intended for public fleet utilization.
This partnership marks a crucial step towards a greener future, showcasing the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology in transforming heavy-duty transportation and reaffirming the Indian Navy’s commitment to sustainability.
