In a major stride towards sustainable mobility, Union Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, overseeing Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs, will inaugurate the country’s first Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus on September 25, 2023, at Kartavya Path in Delhi.
Green Hydrogen’s Potential for a Sustainable Future
Green Hydrogen, derived from renewable energy sources, holds immense promise as a key contributor to low-carbon and self-sufficient economic pathways. It has the potential to harness India’s abundant renewable energy resources across regions and sectors, serving as both a fuel and an industrial feedstock. Green Hydrogen can directly replace fossil fuel-derived feedstocks in crucial sectors like petroleum refining, fertilizer production, and steel manufacturing.
Fuel Cells: Transforming Mobility
Fuel cell technology is emerging as a pivotal element in the realm of e-mobility. Hydrogen serves as a clean fuel for fuel cells, where an electrochemical reaction converts hydrogen and oxygen into water, liberating electrical energy in the process. Fuel cells boast remarkable efficiency compared to other mobility solutions. Fuel cell vehicles offer advantages such as extended range and quicker refueling when compared to battery-powered vehicles. Hydrogen gas is stored on board in cylinders, typically at a pressure of 350 bar.
Pioneering Change: India’s First Green Hydrogen-Powered Fuel Cell Buses
IndianOil has embarked on a well-structured program to conduct operational trials of 15 Fuel Cell buses powered by Green Hydrogen on designated routes in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The launch of the first set of two fuel cell buses on September 25, 2023, marks a historic milestone. This initiative is the first of its kind in India to dispense green hydrogen at 350 bar for fuel cell bus operation. IndianOil has also established a cutting-edge dispensing facility at its R&D campus in Faridabad, capable of refueling green hydrogen produced through electrolysis with solar PV panels.
The Road Ahead: Long-Term Impact and Future Prospects
With the launch of these two buses, a cumulative mileage of over 300,000 kilometers will be covered across all buses for an extensive evaluation of performance and durability of this groundbreaking technology. The data generated during these rigorous trials will serve as a national repository, shaping the future of zero-emission mobility in India, powered by green hydrogen.