Hydrogen-laced CNG buses debut in national capital

In a first, the national capital will see buses plying on hydrogen-spiked CNG that gives emissions equivalent to BS-VI grade fuel from a lower category engine.

Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan formally launched the trial run of 50 buses on hydrogen-blended CNG or H-CNG on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said Indian Oil Corp’s (IOC) R&D Centre has developed the patented compact reforming process for H-CNG production directly from natural gas.

Besides lower emissions, H-CNG also gives better mileage, he said.

For the pilot, 18 per cent of hydrogen is being spiked in CNG. H-CNG gives 70 per cent less carbon monoxide and is 25 per cent lower in hydrocarbon emissions in heavy-duty BS-IV engines as compared to baseline CNG, according to a statement by IOC.