Tata Motors launches India’s first hydrogen truck trials

The Tata Motors trials are set to span 24 months and will feature the deployment of 16 hydrogen trucks.

Indian automotive giant Tata Motors has announced the launch of India’s first ever hydrogen truck trials which will oversee the deployment of 16 vehicles.

The trucks are set to feature an operational range of 300-500 km, allowing for “high-performance transportation”.

The trial, which was funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, is said to be tested on India’s “most prominent freight routes”, including those around Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur and Kalinganagar.

With aims of spanning 24 months, Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technologies will be implemented on the trucks.

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, highlighted the potential of hydrogen as a fuel.

Gadkari said: “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”.

The interior of the trucks will feature a Prima cabin and advanced driver-assist safety features,  enhancing driver comfort and improving productivity.

Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India added: “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.”

As previously reported, this expands on Tata’s wider project of unveiling hydrogen trucks by Q2 2025.