Indian Navy Embarks on Green Journey with Hydrogen Bus from Indian Oil
New Delhi, July 23, 2024 – In a significant stride towards sustainable transportation, the Indian Navy has received its first hydrogen fuel cell bus from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). This landmark initiative is part of the Government of India’s (GOI) green initiative and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, underscoring the nation’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
The hydrogen-powered bus, handed over for trials and performance testing, represents a collaborative effort between IOCL and the Indian Navy to harness hydrogen as a clean fuel. This move is set to pave the way for the adoption of sustainable transportation within the Armed Forces, aiming to reduce carbon footprints, improve air quality, and achieve national environmental goals.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor, Controller of Logistics, Indian Navy, and Dr. Kannan Chandrasekaran, Executive Director, IOCL. The signing ceremony, attended by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman of IOCL, marked a pivotal moment in the collaboration.
Vaidya expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Today, we celebrate a significant milestone in our shared pursuit of sustainability and environmental stewardship through this advanced Green Hydrogen fuel cell bus to the Indian Navy, symbolizing our commitment to innovation and green technology.” He emphasized IndianOil’s dedication to advancing green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, highlighting their ongoing support for the defence forces with forward-looking solutions.
Currently, IndianOil operates 15 fuel cell buses in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, amassing a total mileage of 300,000 kilometers, with each bus expected to run at least 20,000 kilometers. This initiative aims to promote hydrogen and fuel cell technology for heavy-duty e-mobility, positioning the Indian Navy as a pioneer in evaluating this technology.
The hydrogen bus project will assess the performance, durability, and operational reliability of fuel cell buses in the challenging climatic conditions of the Delhi NCR region. It will analyze the impact of local fuel and air quality on fuel cell systems and vehicles, ultimately evaluating the effectiveness, longevity, and operational reliability of fuel cell buses for public fleet utilization.
This partnership between IOCL and the Indian Navy is a testament to the nation’s dedication to innovative solutions addressing climate change and energy security, heralding a new era of sustainable transportation within the Armed Forces.
