India launch Hydrogen Bus

Manohar Lal, union minister for power and housing and urban affairs, flagged-off the fleet of NTPC’s green hydrogen buses at Leh on 23rd November. The green hydrogen mobility project at Leh comprises in-situ 1.7 MW solar plant, green hydrogen filling station with 80 kg/day capacity and five hydrogen intra-city buses. Each bus can cover 300 km per single filling of 25 kg hydrogen.

The Ladakh capital city of Leh lies near the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir, on the crossroads of the historic “Silk Route” from Sinkiang to West Asia and to the plains of India.

The project is operated at the world’s highest altitude (3650 metres above mean sea level) green hydrogen mobility project that is designed to operate in low-density air, sub-zero temperature and can fill hydrogen at 350 bar pressure. It is estimated to mitigate carbon emissions of approx. 350 MT/year and contribute 230 MT/year of pure oxygen into the atmosphere, which is equal to planting of approx. 13,000 trees.

High solar irradiance with low temperature makes Ladakh a suitable place for generating solar power and green hydrogen efficiently. Production and utilisation of this green fuel at these locations would avoid the fossil fuel logistics and make the locations self-sufficient in terms of energy requirement.

NTPC is setting up more hydrogen mobility projects across India in addition to deployment of various green hydrogen technologies, rapidly scaling up of RE capacity and setting up of a hydrogen hub in Andhra Pradesh.

India, a rapidly developing nation, is taking bold steps towards a future powered by green and clean energy, and the introduction of the green hydrogen fuel cell bus is a landmark development towards the goal, which not only showcases India’s growing prowess in sustainable technologies but also aligns with the country’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 — a goal outlined by PM Modi at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow.

Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, holds immense promise as a clean energy alternative.

Unlike conventional hydrogen, which is derived from fossil fuels and emits greenhouse gases, green hydrogen is created through the electrolysis of water using clean energy.

This process emits zero pollutants, making green hydrogen a crucial component in India’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

For India, green hydrogen represents a significant opportunity to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, cut down on carbon emissions, and establish itself as a leader in clean energy technology.

The launch of the green hydrogen fuel cell bus marks a major milestone in realizing this vision.

The newly introduced green hydrogen fuel cell bus is a part of India’s efforts to decarbonize public transport.

Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are a promising alternative to battery-electric vehicles in sectors where long-range travel and quick refueling are crucial.