Transportation Ease
Hydrogen is already playing a vital role in the transport sector across the globe, India too is anticipating major transformation.
ROLE OF HYDROGEN IN TRANSPORTATION
Hydrogen has already played a transformative role in many global economies. For instance, the US transport sector has witnessed a significant role of hydrogen in the material handling of goods at distribution centers in all continental states and Canadian provinces.
The next sectors of interest include light-, medium- and heavy-duty road transport, heavy and urban light rail, and ships. Altogether, the transport sector accounts for 35 percent of US carbon emissions and is a key contributor to local air pollution, making a transition to zero emissions options a priority.
The two primary options for zero emission transportation are electric drive trains powered by hydrogen fuel cells in FCEVs and batteries in BEVs.
Hyundai, Tata Motors, Toyota eyeing NTPC’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle project
15 hydrogen fuelled 3 wheelers (by IIT Delhi in collaboration with Mahindra & Mahindra), 2 hydrogen –diesel dual fuel cars (by Mahindra & Mahindra) and 1 fuel cell car (by CSIR – National Chemical Laboratory , CSIR- Central Electrochemical Laboratory and CSIR – National Physical Laboratory).
Further, as a part of the pilot project, NTPC may run super- luxury hydrogen buses between Delhi and Jaipur, one of the busiest routes in north India. Initially, a total of 10 buses and 10 cars for Leh and Delhi is expected to be rolled out.