Tata Motors Launches India's First Hydrogen Truck Trials
In a pioneering move towards India achieving net-zero by 2070, Tata Motors, India's largest commercial vehicle maker, announced the first-ever trials of hydrogen fuelled heavy-duty trucks. The milestone trial was flagged off by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon'ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon'ble Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, in presence of Tata Motors' Executive Director, Mr. Girish Wagh, along with other honored government and industry representatives.
The project reflects the vision of Tata Motors to move towards sustainable mobility solutions, a direction in harmony with India's larger green energy ambitions. Tata Motors won this tender for conducting the trial under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which has been funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The trial will check the feasibility of hydrogen fuel cells in long-distance transportation in actual conditions and also develop the supporting infrastructure for a hassle-free setup.
The trial will be conducted for a duration of 24 months and will comprise deploying 16 cutting-edge hydrogen-fueled trucks with diverse configurations and payload capacities. These trucks, powered by Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (H2-FCEV) technology, will undergo testing on priority freight routes in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar.
On the occasion of flag-off ceremony, Shri Nitin Gadkari highlighted the significance of hydrogen for India's green transport future. "Hydrogen is the fuel of the future with tremendous potential to revolutionize India's transportation industry by lowering emissions and increasing energy self-sufficiency. Initiatives like this will speed up the shift to sustainable mobility in heavy-duty trucking and take us closer to a low-carbon, efficient future.". I compliment Tata Motors for being at the forefront of this major step towards facilitating green and smart hydrogen-powered transportation," he said.
Shri Pralhad Joshi seconded this, terming the trial a key step in India's clean energy transition. "The commencement of this trial marks an important step ahead in highlighting the prospects of green hydrogen in powering India's transport sector towards decarbonization.". This project, under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, is a demonstration of our efforts towards fueling innovation and energy independence for India and supporting world climate objectives. I commend Tata Motors for pioneering this effort," he added.
Mr. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, was proud of the role played by the company in fostering sustainable innovation. Tata Motors is highly privileged to be leading the way in shaping India's shift towards greener, smarter, and sustainable mobility. Being a nation-building company with a rich legacy, we have always believed in innovation to create mobility solutions that support India's growth and development.". Today, with the launch of these hydrogen truck trials, we are honored to continue this legacy by leading the way towards clean, zero-emission energy for long-distance transport," he said.
The trucks that set off for the trials reflect Tata Motors' holistic approach to hydrogen mobility. The fleet features two Tata Prima H.55S prime movers powered by H2-ICE and FCEV, respectively, and the Tata Prima H.28, a state-of-the-art H2-ICE truck. These trucks provide an operating range of 300-500 km, marrying sustainability with exceptional performance. Equipped with premium Prima cabins and innovative driver-assist safety technologies, the trucks improve driver comfort, minimize fatigue, and establish new standards for safety and productivity in long-haul transport.
Tata Motors has been at the forefront of alternative fuel technology development, with a strong portfolio of commercial vehicles running on battery electric, CNG, LNG, hydrogen internal combustion, and hydrogen fuel cells. The company had earlier secured a tender for 15 Hydrogen FCEV buses, which are already plying Indian roads, showcasing Tata Motors' ability and commitment to leading sustainable transport solutions.
This test is a seminal step towards proving the commercial feasibility of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and creating a scalable template for green logistics infrastructure. Towards a low-carbon, sustainable future, Tata Motors' trials of hydrogen trucks are a giant leap towards reshaping the Indian transportation ecosystem.
Through this program, Tata Motors not only solidifies its position as a leader in green mobility but also supports the vision of India as a global hub for green energy innovation. Positive results from these tests could open the door to mass adoption of hydrogen vehicles, propel the country toward its ambitious climate targets and energy independence.
