Nitin Gadkari launches Tata Motors’ first-ever trials of hydrogen powered truck

New Delhi: In a bid to promote green mobility, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched the first-ever trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks.

The trucks built by the Tata Motors, the country’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, marks a significant step towards sustainable long distance cargo transportation.

Flagging-off the trial, Nitin Gadkari said, “Hydrogen is the fuel of the future with immense potential to transform India’s transportation sector by reducing emissions and enhancing energy self-reliance. Such Initiatives will accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in heavy-duty trucking, and move us closer to an efficient, low-carbon future”

He added that under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, reducing fossil fuel imports by ₹1 lakh crore.

Gadkari said with this India will manage to reduce CO₂ emissions by 50 million metric tonnes and with ₹8 lakh crore investment, help in creating 6 lakh jobs.

Speaking at the event, Pralhad Josh, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India said, “Hydrogen is an important fuel for India’s transition to a sustainable and zero-carbon future. The beginning of this trial is a significant step forward in showcasing the potential of green hydrogen in decarbonizing India’s transportation sector.

“This initiative, part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, reflects our commitment to driving innovation and achieving India’s energy independence while contributing to global climate goals. I applaud Tata Motors for taking the lead in this pioneering effort” he said.

Highlighting Tata Motors’ preparedness, Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, said, “Tata Motors is deeply honored to be at the forefront of driving India’s transformation towards greener, smarter, and sustainable mobility. As a company with a long-standing commitment to nation-building, we have continuously embraced innovation to develop mobility solutions that contribute to India’s growth and development”.

The trial phase will span up to 24 months and involves deployment of 16 advanced hydrogen-powered vehicles with varying configurations and payload capacities.

These trucks, equipped with new age Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technologies, will be tested on India’s most prominent freight routes, including those around Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur and Kalinganaga.