By In a significant stride towards sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions, Tata Motors has taken a pioneering step by delivering the first-ever Hydrogen Fuel Cell powered (FCEV) buses to the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), the nation’s largest petroleum company. This milestone marks the beginning of a new era in decarbonized transportation. The momentous occasion saw the flag-off of two hydrogen-powered buses, graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Rameswar Teli, Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Labour & Employment, Shri Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri S M Vaidya, Chairman of IOCL, Dr. Umish Srivastva, Executive Director at IOCL, and Mr. Rajendra Petkar, President & Chief Technology Officer at Tata Motors, among others. Representatives from the Government of India, Government of New Delhi, and Tata Motors were also in attendance.
The journey towards this groundbreaking moment began in June 2021 when Tata Motors secured a tender from IOCL to supply 15 FCEV buses for an extensive evaluation of hydrogen-based PEM fuel-cell technology within the Indian context. These buses are earmarked for assessment as a potential mass transportation solution for both inter and intra-city commutes. Crafted at a specialized laboratory within Tata Motors’ state-of-the-art R&D center in Pune, these 12-meter long buses prioritize passenger convenience with a low-floor design, ensuring easy boarding and alighting. With a seating capacity of 35 passengers, these buses have undergone rigorous road tests and validations to ensure their reliability and performance.
Tata Motors embarked on this journey by collaborating closely with renowned industry partners and research institutions, leveraging their expertise to adapt advanced hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology to suit Indian conditions. Their efforts have been pivotal in the development of these innovative and eco-friendly buses. This initiative reflects Tata Motors’ unwavering commitment to advancing greener and smarter mobility solutions, making a significant contribution to India’s sustainable transportation ecosystem. As the nation strives towards a cleaner and more sustainable future, Tata Motors’ hydrogen-powered buses represent a promising step forward in the journey towards a greener tomorrow.
