In a significant step towards sustainable transportation, the Indian Army and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have joined forces to pilot the use of hydrogen fuel cell buses for heavy-duty e-mobility.
The collaboration was solidified with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Monday at the National War Memorial in Delhi. The ceremony, attended by Army Chief General Manoj Pande, IOCL Chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, and senior officials from both organizations, marked the handover of the first hydrogen fuel cell bus to the Indian Army.
This initiative aligns with the Indian government's 2023 green hydrogen mission, leveraging IOCL's expertise in green hydrogen production in partnership with Tata Motors.
General Manoj Pande stated, "I am glad we're now taking this to the next level wherein based on the government's new green hydrogen mission of 2023 the IOC has developed the technology for production of green hydrogen and with the help of Tata Motors." Hydrogen fuel cell technology converts hydrogen gas into electricity, producing only water vapor as a byproduct, resulting in zero emissions.
The Indian Army will operate the bus in the demanding climatic conditions of Delhi NCR, evaluating its performance, longevity, and operational reliability for public fleet utilization. The project will collect data on the impact of local fuel and air quality on the fuel cell system and vehicle performance.
IOCL currently operates 15 fuel cell buses in Delhi NCR, accumulating a total of 300,000 kilometers. S M Vaidya highlighted, "IndianOil is currently operating 15 fuel cell buses in the Delhi-NCR region accumulating a total mileage of 300,000 kilometers i.e. 20,000 kms on each bus." This builds upon the Indian Army's previous collaboration with NTPC for green hydrogen microgrid power plants in remote areas.
General Manoj Pande emphasized, "The partnership between IndianOil and the Indian Army spans over six decades and is built on an unbreakable bond of trust." He further stated, "It is indeed a very momentous day today that a bus which is part of the green hydrogen fuel cell bus fleet will now be operated by the Indian Army. This collaboration with the Indian Army is a landmark step towards a greener and more sustainable future."
S M Vaidya echoed these sentiments, stating, "It is indeed a very momentous day today that a bus which is part of the green hydrogen fuel cell bus fleet will now be operated by the Indian Army. This collaboration with the Indian Army is a landmark step towards a greener and more sustainable future."
This collaboration demonstrates a commitment to exploring and adopting innovative technologies that can enhance operational capabilities while promoting environmental sustainability.
The data gathered from this pilot project will be invaluable for assessing the viability of hydrogen fuel cell buses for wider adoption in India's public transportation sector.
The Indian Army's leadership in adopting this technology reinforces its commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation. This partnership sets a precedent for other government entities and private organizations to explore and invest in green hydrogen solutions for a cleaner and greener future.
