The Indian Army has set its sights on deploying hydrogen fuel cell technology for heavy-duty electric mobility applications. This move comes as IndianOil, India’s largest state-run refiner and fuel retailer, handed over a state-of-the-art green hydrogen fuel cell bus to the Army for use in Delhi.
In a significant development, the Indian Army and IndianOil signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for testing and deployment of hydrogen fuel cell technology for heavy-duty electric mobility. The MoU was signed at the National War Memorial, India Gate, in the presence of Army Chief Gen. Manoj Pande and IndianOil Chairman S.M. Vaidya.
The trial run of the hydrogen fuel cell bus is the latest in a series of sustainability and green initiatives undertaken by the Indian Army, a significant consumer of hydrocarbons, to reduce its carbon footprint. These initiatives range from tapping renewable energy sources to planting trees and moderating energy use through increased efficiency.
For IndianOil, the hydrogen fuel cell bus initiative is one of several projects it is undertaking in the realm of new-age mobility solutions, including a joint venture with an Israeli startup, Phinergy, for aluminum-air batteries.
Gen. Manoj Pande expressed the Indian Army’s commitment to exploring and adopting innovative technologies that enhance operational capabilities while ensuring environmental sustainability. He thanked IndianOil for choosing the Indian Army as a partner in this endeavour.
S.M. Vaidya, the IndianOil chairman, described the collaboration with the Army as a “landmark step towards a greener and more sustainable future.” He mentioned that IndianOil is currently operating 15 fuel cell buses in the Delhi-NCR region, accumulating a total mileage of 300,000 kilometers.
The project aims to assess the performance of fuel cell electric buses for public transit in the demanding climatic conditions of the Delhi-NCR region, analyse the impact of local fuel and air quality on the performance of fuel cell systems and vehicles, and evaluate the effectiveness, longevity, and operational reliability of fuel cell buses intended for public fleet utilisation.
This initiative marks a pivotal step in the journey towards sustainable transportation, setting a precedent for future collaborations aimed at advancing green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in India.