Indian Oil Delivers Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus to the Indian Army

As you read in our previous newsletter, Tata Motors has advanced sustainable transport by delivering the first hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) marking a significant step towards decarbonised transportation in India.

Further to this initiative, Indian Oil delivered hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses to the Indian Army following a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organisations. This strategic initiative aspires to assess the implementation of fuel-cell electric buses that are not just restricted to public transit.

A Collaboration Leading to Pioneering Sustainable Military Transport

This collaboration interests a detailed analysis of how local fuel and air quality affect the performance, effectiveness, longevity, and operational reliability of the fuel cell systems and vehicles. This comprehensive study will help determine the feasibility of deploying such technology for broader use.

This hydrogen-powered bus, which seats 37 passengers, has a range of 250-300km on a 30 KG hydrogen tank. It is evident from this synergy that the Indian Army is conscious of environmental conservation and the development of innovations. General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff, stated, “The Indian Army is committed to exploring and adopting innovative technologies that enhance our operational capabilities while ensuring environmental sustainability.”

IndianOil’s Chairman, Shrikant Vaidya, remarked, “This collaboration with the Indian Army is a landmark step towards a greener and more sustainable future. IndianOil is operating 15 fuel cell buses in the Delhi-NCR region, which have accumulated a total mileage of 300,000km.”

The ceremonial handover of the bus took place at the National War Memorial, India Gate, New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards clean energy solutions in India.

In a similar vein, Indian power utility NTPC has indicated that it is exploring the possibilities of hydrogen fuel cell operation for buses and fuelling stations in Leh. As a part of a pilot run test for three months hydrogen buses enter the Leh Municipality.

These endeavours underscore India’s growing commitment to adopting hydrogen fuel cell technology, setting a precedent for future advancements in clean and sustainable public transportation solutions.

Additional Extracts:

• The bus converts hydrogen gas into electricity via an electrochemical process, emitting only water vapour.
• Notably, The Indian Army was the first government entity to sign an MoU with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to install hydrogen-based microgrid power plants across the northern borders of India.