Tata Motors has launched the country’s first hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck trials, marking a major step toward sustainable freight transportation. The trials, part of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, aim to assess the feasibility of hydrogen as a fuel for long-haul trucking.
The trial, flagged off by Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, will run for up to 24 months. Tata Motors will deploy 16 hydrogen-powered trucks equipped with Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) technologies across major freight corridors, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized the role of hydrogen in India’s transportation future, stating, “Hydrogen is the fuel of the future with immense potential to transform India’s transportation sector by reducing emissions and enhancing energy self-reliance. Such initiatives will accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in heavy-duty trucking, and move us closer to an efficient, low-carbon future. I congratulate Tata Motors for taking the lead in this significant step towards enabling hydrogen-powered green and smart transportation.”
The trial is funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which seeks to reduce carbon emissions and develop the necessary infrastructure for hydrogen mobility. Pralhad Joshi highlighted the mission’s significance, saying, “Hydrogen is an important fuel for India’s transition to a sustainable and zero-carbon future. The beginning of this trial is a significant step forward in showcasing the potential of green hydrogen in decarbonizing India’s transportation sector. This initiative, part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, reflects our commitment to driving innovation and achieving India’s energy independence while contributing to global climate goals. I applaud Tata Motors for taking the lead in this pioneering effort.”
The hydrogen-powered fleet includes two Tata Prima H.55S prime movers—one with H2-ICE technology and another with an FCEV system—alongside the Tata Prima H.28 H2-ICE truck. These vehicles are designed for long-haul operations, offering an estimated range of 300-500 km per refueling. The trucks incorporate advanced driver-assistance systems and safety features while maintaining Tata Motors’ signature Prima cabin comfort for improved driver productivity.
Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to green mobility, stating, “Tata Motors is deeply honored to be at the forefront of driving India’s transformation towards greener, smarter, and sustainable mobility. As a company with a long-standing commitment to nation-building, we have continuously embraced innovation to develop mobility solutions that contribute to India’s growth and development. Today, with the commencement of these hydrogen truck trials, we are proud to further this legacy by pioneering the transition to clean, zero-emission energy for long-haul transportation. We are grateful to the Government of India for their visionary leadership in making this possible, and we remain committed to playing our part in building sustainable, future-ready mobility solutions that will deliver better performance and efficiency.”
With this initiative, Tata Motors strengthens its position as a leader in sustainable commercial transportation, taking a crucial step toward India’s net-zero emission goals while setting new benchmarks in hydrogen-powered mobility.