Tata Motors Unveils India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Truck; Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Flags Off the Trial Phase

Tata Motors began the first-ever trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks on Tuesday to determine their suitability for long-haul transportation solutions. During the testing period, which might last up to 24 months, 16 advanced hydrogen-powered vehicles with different payload capacities and configurations will be deployed.

This initiative, conducted under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, marks a significant milestone in India’s transition to zero-emission mobility. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels and carbon emissions, the hydrogen truck experiments will help evaluate the viability of using green hydrogen as an alternative fuel for long-haul logistics.

India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Truck 

The hydrogen-powered trucks were created by Tata Motors, a major player in the Indian automobile industry, as part of its commitment to sustainable mobility solutions. The trial phase, set to run for up to 24 months, involves 16 advanced hydrogen-powered trucks with varying configurations and payload capacities. 

These vehicles will be tested on key freight corridors, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar. The goal is to evaluate fuel efficiency, operational feasibility, and infrastructure readiness for hydrogen-powered transport in India.

The trucks, which feature both hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technology, are prime examples of Tata Motors' all-encompassing approach to hydrogen mobility. The initiative includes the Tata Prima H.28, a cutting-edge H2ICE vehicle, and two Tata Prima H.55S prime movers, one with an H2ICE engine and the other with an FCEV engine. 

These vehicles, which have a 300–500 km operating range, are designed for high-performance, economical, and environmentally friendly transportation. With the high-end Prima cabin and cutting-edge driver-assist safety systems, they raise the bar for trucking safety while improving driver comfort, lowering tiredness, and increasing productivity.

"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,” said Mr. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors. 

He also added that the commencement of these hydrogen truck trials is an effort to further the legacy of Tata Motors by pioneering the transition to clean, zero-emission energy for long-haul transportation. 

“We are grateful to the Government of India for their visionary leadership in making this possible, and we remain committed to playing our part in building sustainable, future-ready mobility solutions that will deliver better performance and efficiency,” stated Mr. Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors. 

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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Flags Off the Trial Phase 

 The trial phase was flagged off by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, and Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy.

"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,” said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari while flagging off the trial phase. 

He also congratulated Tata Motors for taking the lead in this significant step towards enabling hydrogen-powered green and smart transportation.

Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, added that 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,” said Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. 

Tata Motors has been at the forefront of zero-emission commercial vehicle innovation, previously launching electric buses and LNG-powered trucks. If these trials are successful, hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles could revolutionise India's logistics industry by providing a more efficient and environmentally friendly option to traditional diesel trucks.

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