Sixteen trucks to drive across key freight corridors, paving the way for a net-zero emissions future.
In a landmark development towards India’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, Tata Motors has launched the first-ever trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks. This historic trial, which marks a significant step towards sustainable long distance cargo transportation, was flagged off by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, and Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy. The ceremony also saw the participation of Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, among other distinguished delegates from the Government of India and the two companies.
Tata Motors was awarded the tender for this trial, which is funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. It marks a significant step forward in assessing the real-world commercial viability of using hydrogen powered vehicles for long distance haulage as well as setting-up the requisite enabling infrastructure for their seamless operation.
The trial phase will span up to 24 months and involves deployment of 16 advanced hydrogen-powered vehicles with varying configurations and payload capacities. These trucks, equipped with new age Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technologies, will be tested on India’s most prominent freight routes, including those around Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar.
The flagged-off vehicles exemplify Tata Motors’ comprehensive approach to hydrogen mobility, displaying both Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) technologies. This includes two Tata Prima H.55S prime movers — one powered by H2ICE, and the other by FCEV, alongside the Tata Prima H.28, an advanced H2ICE truck. With an operational range of 300-500 km, these vehicles are engineered for sustainable, cost-efficient, and high-performance transportation.