Government launches hydrogen fuel transport pilot on 10 routes

India has started pilot trials for hydrogen fuel transport on 10 routes under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The projects were sanctioned on 26 March 2025 under the National Green Hydrogen Mission and involve 37 hydrogen-powered buses and trucks, 15 with fuel cells and 22 with hydrogen internal combustion engines.

Hydrogen Mobility

Hydrogen mobility refers to the use of hydrogen as a transport fuel in vehicles such as buses, trucks, and cars. Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells, which generate electricity for electric motors, or in internal combustion engines modified to burn hydrogen.

Routes and Project Coverage

The 10 trial routes include Greater Noida-Delhi-Agra, Pune-Mumbai, Ahmedabad-Vadodara-Surat, Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri, Sahibabad-Faridabad-Delhi, Jamshedpur-Kalinga Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram-Kochi, Kochi-Edappally, Jamnagar-Ahmedabad, and NH-16 Visakhapatnam-Bayyavaram. Nine hydrogen refuelling stations will be set up along these corridors for the pilot operations.

Project Partners and Funding

The pilot projects have an estimated allocation of about ₹208 crore. TATA Motors, Reliance Industries, NTPC, Ashok Leyland, and Indian Oil are among the participating industry partners in the implementation of the trials.

Important Facts for Exams

• The National Green Hydrogen Mission was approved by the Government of India to promote hydrogen production and use.
• Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical process.
• Hydrogen internal combustion engines use hydrogen as a combustion fuel in modified engines.
• Hydrogen refuelling stations are required for storage, compression, and dispensing of hydrogen fuel.

Exam-Relevant Context

Hydrogen is the lightest element and has the chemical symbol H. Green hydrogen is produced using renewable electricity, while grey hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels. Hydrogen transport trials are used to test vehicle performance, refuelling systems, and route suitability under Indian conditions.