India Bets Big on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks: 1,000 Vehicles, 10 Routes, Full-Scale by 2030

India has set its sights on rolling out more than 1,000 hydrogen-powered trucks and buses by 2030, with the first 50 vehicles expected to hit the road as early as 2025. It’s all part of the country’s big push under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which kicked off in January 2023 with a hefty US$2.3 billion bankroll. This initiative zeroes in on heavy-duty transport—an area where battery-electric vehicles often run out of steam.

Hydrogen on the Highways: Where and How

To get things moving, pilot routes have been mapped out in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Bhubaneswar, with plans to set up hydrogen stations every 200 kilometers. Tata Motors is taking the wheel on road testing, gearing up for a wider commercial rollout timed for 2027.

Powering the Shift with Green Hydrogen

Behind the scenes, India is ramping up its green hydrogen production goals with a plan to churn out 5 million metric tonnes annually by decade’s end. That’ll require a serious boost in capacity—around 60 to 100 GW of electrolysis—to make it all happen. It’s a massive step toward building robust hydrogen infrastructure that can power this transition.

Tech on Trial: Fuel Cells vs. Hydrogen ICEs

Right now, two different technologies are being put to the test: hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen-based internal combustion engines (ICEs). Hydrogen ICEs are quicker to roll out, making them great for early adopters, while fuel cell technology is seen as a more sustainable, long-term solution. Together, they represent a strategic move to cut back on fossil fuel imports, clean up the transportation sector, and position India as a leader in the booming green hydrogen space.