Union minister for power and new & renewable energy R.K. Singh chaired an important meeting at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan in New Delhi, focusing on the integration of green hydrogen in India’s transport sector. This initiative is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aiming to reduce emissions intensity in line with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets.
The meeting saw participation from officials of the ministry of new & renewable energy, ministry of road transport and highways, and representatives from various sectors involved in hydrogen production, storage, and transportation, along with component manufacturers and standard-making bodies.
RK Singh stressed the crucial role of the transport sector in achieving the NDC targets and highlighted the potential of green hydrogen in heavy-duty mobility applications, including trucks and buses that use both fuel cell and internal combustion engine technologies.
The union minister advocated for a series of trials to assess the potential of green hydrogen in the transport sector. These trials aim to contribute to a national roadmap for decarbonizing the sector using green hydrogen. Singh emphasized the need for a comprehensive comparison of technology and cost between hydrogen-powered vehicles and battery-electric vehicles, particularly in heavy-duty applications.
During the meeting, ongoing trials of hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as H2 ICE trucks and H2 fuel cell buses, were discussed. Singh assured industry representatives concerned about the higher costs of green hydrogen, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage cylinders that these costs would naturally decrease with the scaling up of technology and indigenous manufacturing.
The meeting also delved into the potential use of hydrogen in cars, three-wheelers, and two-wheelers. Singh urged concerted efforts for market development and identifying areas requiring further advancement. The minister affirmed the government’s readiness to allocate additional funds beyond the already earmarked Rs 496 crore for the transport sector under the National Green Hydrogen Mission if needed.
