Tata Motors has initiated India’s first-ever trial runs of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks, marking a significant step towards sustainable transportation. Supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, this initiative aims to assess the commercial feasibility of hydrogen-powered trucks while simultaneously developing the necessary infrastructure to support them. Tata Motors secured the tender for the trial, reinforcing its dedication to alternative fuel technologies.
Trial Overview
The trial phase is set to last up to two years, during which 16 hydrogen-powered trucks, featuring diverse payload capacities and configurations, will be tested along key freight corridors. These routes include Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar.
The trials will evaluate two hydrogen-based technologies: Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (H2-FCEV). Among the vehicles being tested are the Tata Prima H.55S, available in both H2-ICE and H2-FCEV variants, as well as the Tata Prima H.28, a hydrogen-powered truck.
Truck Features and Benefits
Engineered for long-haul operations, these trucks offer an operational range of 300 to 500 km. They also feature Tata Motors’ advanced Prima cabin, which integrates cutting-edge driver-assist safety features to enhance comfort, reduce fatigue, and boost overall productivity. The objective is to demonstrate the practicality of hydrogen-powered trucks for commercial fleet operations.
Official Launch and Government Endorsement
The official launch event was attended by Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Pralhad Joshi, along with Tata Motors’ Executive Director, Girish Wagh, and other industry and government representatives.
Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, emphasized the transformative potential of hydrogen in India’s transportation sector, stating: “Hydrogen is the fuel of the future, with immense potential to reduce emissions and enhance energy self-reliance. This initiative will accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in heavy-duty trucking and bring us closer to an efficient, low-carbon future.”
Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, echoed this sentiment: “Hydrogen plays a critical role in India’s journey towards a zero-carbon future. This trial is a pivotal step in demonstrating the potential of green hydrogen in decarbonizing transportation. We commend Tata Motors for spearheading this effort.”
Tata Motors’ Commitment to Green Mobility
Tata Motors has been actively developing and deploying alternative fuel technologies, including battery electric, CNG, LNG, hydrogen internal combustion, and hydrogen fuel cells. The company has already successfully deployed 15 Hydrogen FCEV buses in India and is now expanding its efforts to the trucking sector.
Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors, stated: “Tata Motors is proud to lead India’s transition towards greener, smarter, and more sustainable mobility. Our legacy of innovation continues as we pioneer hydrogen-powered transportation solutions. We are grateful to the Government of India for their visionary leadership and remain committed to building future-ready mobility solutions.”
Future of Hydrogen-Powered Transportation
The hydrogen truck trials, which include both H2-ICE and FCEV technologies, represent Tata Motors’ comprehensive approach to hydrogen mobility. The inclusion of premium safety features, long-range capabilities, and fuel efficiency make these vehicles strong contenders for future commercial transport solutions.
With the backing of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, this initiative aligns with India’s broader goals of reducing emissions, achieving energy independence, and promoting sustainable development in the transportation sector.
As hydrogen-powered trucks begin operating on India’s major freight corridors, these trials are expected to lay the groundwork for a cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective transportation ecosystem.
