changeadminRecently, when the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Shri Tshering Tobgay was on a visit to India, he was taken on a hydrogen-fuelled bus. The idea was to showcase green hydrogen mobility advancements to the Bhutanese delegation.
The event was attended by Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas. In the last few years, the Indian government has taken considerable measures towards green hydrogen initiatives.
Green hydrogen is hydrogen gas produced through a process called electrolysis, using renewable energy. The green hydrogen-powered bus is one such application that leverages gas to provide sustainable transportation solutions.
In February 2023, India launched its first hydrogen fuel cell-based e-bus developed by Oil India Limited.
A few months later in September 2023, India’s largest fuel retailer Indian Oil Corporation started the operational trial of green hydrogen-fuelled buses in Delhi- NCR region. Busses are also given to the Indian Army and Indian Navy for demonstration trials of this technology.
The green hydrogen-powered buses to the Indian Oil Corporation were supplied by TATA Motors, the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer. A single green hydrogen bus is 12-metre long with a low-floor design and can seat 35 passengers. In terms of their range, busses are expected to give an impressive mileage of 250-300 km on a full 30 kg onboard tank of Hydrogen fuel.
Furthermore, India’s leading power generation company NTPC is exploring the possibilities of hydrogen fuel cell operation for buses and fuelling stations. Trials of green-hydrogen buses are already on in the Ladakh region, known for the Himalayan mountains.
Hydrogen fuel cell buses are considered environment-friendly and sustainable means of public transportation.
Unlike traditional fossil fuels-based transportation, the hydrogen fuel cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy through an electrochemical process and thereby produces only water in the exhaust.
India is eager to extend its expertise and collaborate with regional partners like Bhutan to pave the way for a cleaner, greener future.
The ride by Bhutan’s Prime Minister was made on a bus powered by Indian Oil. The event highlighted a shared vision for advancing green energy initiatives and exploring carbon-free solutions for public transport.
The delegation from Bhutan, which lies on the Himalayas’ eastern edge, has expressed keen interest in adopting green hydrogen mobility. Bhutan with its vast forests is the world’s first carbon-negative country, and clean public transportation aligns with their commitment to environmental sustainability and clean energy solutions.
Over the past few years, India has ramped up its green hydrogen initiatives, with multiple projects spanning storage, transportation, and various applications. Many public sector and private sector companies are working towards this endeavour.
Green hydrogen buses are going to play a crucial role in providing sustainable public transportation solutions.
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