India Accelerates Green Hydrogen Adoption In Transport, Boosts Funding & Emphasizes Collaborative Roadmap For Sustainability
He stressed the importance of a national roadmap to guide the sector's transition, emphasizing that without it, the ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions in the country would be unattainable.
The Indian government is poised to bolster its commitment to promoting the use of green hydrogen in the nation's transportation sector, with Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), RK Singh, urging the industry to intensify research and development efforts. In a meeting with business representatives, Singh emphasized the need for technological advancements to incorporate green hydrogen in heavy-duty trucks and buses.
Singh stated that additional funding would be allocated to the transportation sector under the Green Hydrogen Mission, highlighting the crucial role of businesses in exploring green hydrogen applications for automobiles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers. He stressed the importance of a national roadmap to guide the sector's transition, emphasizing that without it, the ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions in the country would be unattainable.
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Under the Green Hydrogen Mission, only Rs 496 crore has been allocated for the transport sector, prompting Singh to call for pilot projects to kickstart the use of green hydrogen in transportation. He advocated for a comparative study examining the costs and other aspects of vehicles running on green hydrogen versus electric vehicles to inform decision-making.
The comprehensive roadmap should outline plans for leveraging green hydrogen in long-distance transportation, developing necessary infrastructure, and domestic production to cut costs. Singh emphasized the need for accurate facts to guide decision-making and optimize the utilization of green hydrogen.
While private sector entities, including Indian Oil, Ashok Leyland, and Tata Motors, are actively exploring green hydrogen applications in transportation, the technology's environmental friendliness is a focal point. Green hydrogen cells are believed to be more eco-friendly than electric vehicles, addressing concerns about the environmental impact of batteries in EVs. However, the technology is not yet fully proven, and the cost of green hydrogen remains a significant hurdle in India, priced at around 4-5 dollars per kg. Some companies have set ambitious targets to reduce costs to one dollar per barrel.
The push for green hydrogen adoption in India's transportation industry signifies a critical step towards sustainable and environmentally conscious practices, necessitating collaborative efforts between the government, businesses, and research institutions.
