Green and clean India: First green hydrogen-run bus that emits just water rolls out in New Delhi

On October 21, when Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay visited India, he was taken for a ride- well a ride as green and clean as his own homeland, the eastern Himalayan kingdom.

Indian petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri unveiled India's first green hydrogen fuel cell bus in New Delhi recently, stating that with hydrogen, the country's foray into clean and green energy is "nothing less than revolutionary."

“The fuel cell utilizes Hydrogen and air to generate electricity to power the bus and the only by-product from the bus is water therefore making it possibly the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation as compared to conventional buses that run on diesel and petrol,” Puri said.

After the launch, Puri took a ride on the green hydrogen-run bus with Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, following which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that the green hydrogen-powered bus was part of the nation’s efforts to boost sustainability and contribute to a greener future for the coming generations.

“I am delighted that PM Tshering Tobgay was able to sit on the Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus. Such a Bus is a part of our efforts to boost sustainability and contribute to a greener future for the coming generations,” Modi wrote on X.

Flagging off the bus, Hardeep Singh Puri spoke about the government's plans on clean and green energy, saying "emerging fuels like hydrogen and bio-fuels shall account for 25 percent of global incremental energy demand growth over the next two decades."

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.

Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also marked the green hydrogen powered buses as a game changer for the city transport in the country, saying "success of this project can catapult India from being net importer of fossil energy to becoming net exporter of clean hydrogen energy.”

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.

While battery electric vehicles are gaining traction, hydrogen fuel cells offer the advantage of a longer driving range and faster refueling times, making them ideal for heavy-duty vehicles such as buses.

The hydrogen fuel cell bus operates by combining hydrogen with oxygen from the air in a fuel cell stack to produce electricity.

This electricity powers the bus’s electric motor, with water vapor as the only byproduct.

The result is zero tailpipe emissions, making it a completely eco-friendly solution.

Additionally, the fuel cell bus can be refueled in just 10-15 minutes, offering operational efficiency comparable to that of traditional diesel buses.

The launch in New Delhi is symbolic as the capital city struggles with severe air pollution, particularly in the winter months.

Introducing such green alternatives to conventional fossil-fuel-powered buses is a step towards improving air quality, reducing the carbon footprint, and addressing India’s pressing environmental challenges.

The green hydrogen fuel cell bus project in India is not just a showcase of technological advancement but also a testament to the government’s increasing focus on green initiatives.

The launch of the hydrogen bus also coincides with the National Hydrogen Mission, which was announced by the Indian government in 2021.

The mission aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and exports.

By focusing on the transportation sector, which is a significant contributor to the country’s carbon emissions, the government is setting an example for other industries to follow.

Despite the excitement surrounding green hydrogen, the technology is not without challenges.

The primary hurdle is the cost. Green hydrogen production, although clean, is still expensive compared to conventional fuels and even other renewable energy sources.

The infrastructure required to produce, store, and transport hydrogen is also in its nascent stages in India. Setting up hydrogen refueling stations across the country, for instance, is a massive logistical and financial challenge.

However, India’s proactive policies and ambitious targets have instilled confidence in the industry and stakeholders.

The government’s Green Hydrogen Policy, which was introduced in early 2022, aims to reduce the cost of producing green hydrogen by incentivizing investments in clean energy projects.

This policy also offers benefits such as land allocation near renewable energy plants, priority grid access, and exemptions on inter-state transmission charges.

Such measures are expected to bring down the cost of green hydrogen in the coming years, making it more commercially viable.

Furthermore, collaborations with global clean energy companies and the development of hydrogen clusters and green hydrogen corridors are on the agenda.

These efforts are poised to make hydrogen a more accessible fuel source, boosting adoption across sectors beyond public transportation, such as steel manufacturing, ammonia production, and more.

The introduction of the green hydrogen fuel cell bus is more than just a pilot project.

It is also a testament to India’s evolving energy landscape, which is gradually shifting away from fossil fuels.

India is one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters globally, and decarbonizing its energy systems is essential to meet global climate goals.

By focusing on green hydrogen, India is not only addressing its energy security concerns but also opening avenues for economic growth and job creation in the renewable energy sector.

Green hydrogen, when produced at scale, can help India reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels, which account for a significant portion of the country’s energy mix.

Moreover, developing a robust green hydrogen ecosystem can position India as a global leader in clean energy technology, with the potential to export both the fuel and the technology to other nations in the future.

The launch of the green hydrogen fuel cell bus in India is a crucial step towards achieving the country’s clean energy goals.

It represents a shift towards sustainable public transportation, a reduction in carbon emissions, and an improvement in urban air quality, and more importantly, it underscores India’s commitment to exploring and investing in emerging green technologies like hydrogen, which hold the potential to transform the country’s energy landscape.

While challenges remain, the government’s policies and initiatives, such as the National Hydrogen Mission, demonstrate a clear vision for a future powered by green hydrogen.

The successful integration of hydrogen fuel cell buses into public transport could pave the way for further adoption in other sectors, helping India transition to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable energy future.