New Delhi: India has taken a major step toward its 2070 net-zero emissions goal with the launch of its first-ever trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks. Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Pralhad Joshi flagged off the trials, conducted by Tata Motors, in New Delhi.
Speaking at the event, Gadkari called hydrogen the “fuel of the future” and emphasized its potential to transform India’s transport sector. The trial phase, spanning up to 24 months, will see the deployment of 16 hydrogen-powered trucks across major freight corridors, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar. The vehicles will test different payload capacities and configurations under real-world conditions.
Tata Motors has introduced two hydrogen-based technologies in the trials- Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (H2-FCEV). The lineup includes the Tata Prima H.55S, available in both H2-ICE and FCEV variants, and the Tata Prima H.28, a next-generation H2-ICE truck. With operational ranges of 300-500 km, these vehicles aim to offer cost-efficient and high-performance logistics solutions.
Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to green mobility, stating that, “We are proud to pioneer the transition to zero-emission long-haul transportation.”
As India works toward reducing carbon emissions and boosting energy self-reliance, the hydrogen truck trials represent a critical step in reshaping the country’s logistics and transportation landscape.
