New Delhi: Taking a step towards sustainable transportation and India's net-zero emissions goal by 2070, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Pralhad Joshi flagged off the first-ever trials of green hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks from Tata Motors in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Speaking at the launch event, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, emphasismnreed the transformative potential of hydrogen as a fuel for the future. "Hydrogen has immense potential to revolutionize India's transportation sector by reducing emissions and enhancing energy self-reliance. These trials will accelerate the shift towards sustainable heavy-duty trucking and bring us closer to a low-carbon future. I congratulate Tata Motors for pioneering this initiative."
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, highlighted the importance of hydrogen in India's green energy transition. "This trial marks a crucial step in leveraging green hydrogen for decarbonizing India's transportation sector. As part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, this initiative showcases our commitment to innovation, energy independence, and global climate goals. I commend Tata Motors for leading this effort."
Tata Motors, awarded the tender for this initiative, has launched the trial under funding from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The trials aim to evaluate the commercial viability of hydrogen-powered trucks for long-distance haulage and facilitate the development of necessary infrastructure for their seamless operation.
Over the next 24 months, 16 advanced hydrogen-powered trucks, featuring Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technologies, will undergo testing on key freight routes, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar.
Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors, reaffirmed the company's commitment to sustainable mobility. "Tata Motors is honored to lead India's transition towards cleaner and more efficient transportation. With the commencement of these hydrogen truck trials, we take a significant step in pioneering zero-emission long-haul transport solutions. We appreciate the Government of India's vision and remain committed to building future-ready mobility solutions that enhance performance and efficiency."
The initiative marks a major step forward in India's efforts to adopt clean energy solutions and reduce its carbon footprint in the transportation sector.
