The Government of India has turbocharged its efforts towards a cleaner, greener future with the launch of a new initiative. On February 14, 2024, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) unveiled the “Scheme Guidelines for Implementation of Pilot Projects for Use of Green Hydrogen in the Transport Sector,” marking a significant shift towards sustainable transportation under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
As the world races towards reducing carbon footprints, India is not just joining the bandwagon but is aiming to lead the parade with its innovative approach to green energy. The scheme is set to fuel buses, trucks, and 4-wheelers with the clean and limitless power of Green Hydrogen, steering the country towards an eco-friendly transit system.
The green signal for pilot projects involves the development of hydrogen refuelling stations, a move that promises to transform gas stations into green stations. With a budgetary allocation of Rs. 496 Crores up until 2025-26, the initiative is not just about changing the way vehicles are fuelled but is an investment in the future of sustainable transport.
With the costs of renewable energy and electrolyzers on a downhill slope, the dream of hydrogen-powered vehicles competing toe-to-toe with their fossil-fueled counterparts is closer to reality. The initiative is poised to scale up the adoption of Green Hydrogen through technological innovations in fuel cell and internal combustion engine-based propulsion technologies.
Apart from powering vehicles, the scheme is open to exploring other innovative uses of hydrogen to slash carbon emissions, including the blending of green hydrogen-derived methanol/ethanol and other synthetic fuels into automobile fuels. This multifaceted approach aims to cultivate a robust Green Hydrogen ecosystem within the transport sector, paving the way for a significant reduction in production costs and a subsequent increase in green hydrogen utilization.
Launched on January 4, 2023, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with an outlay of Rs. 19,744 crores up to FY 2029-30, encapsulates India’s vision to become self-reliant through clean energy. It heralds a new era of significant decarbonization, reducing dependency on fossil fuel imports, and positioning India as a global leader in Green Hydrogen technology and market.
As India shifts gears towards a sustainable future, the journey from petrol pumps to hydrogen stations signifies more than just a policy change; it’s a leap towards achieving a cleaner, greener planet, and India is all set to drive this change on the road to a sustainable future.
