Tata Motors unveils hydrogen fuel cell buses, pioneering greener mobility

Tata Motors, India’s premier commercial vehicle manufacturer, said that it has delivered state-of-the-art Hydrogen Fuel Cell powered (FCEV) buses to the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), the nation’s largest petroleum company.

Marking a transformative shift towards fully decarbonized transport, two of these groundbreaking buses were ceremoniously launched by esteemed dignitaries, including Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, and Rameswar Teli, Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Labour & Employment, among others.

Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors, expressed profound gratitude for the collaborative effort that made this milestone possible. He emphasized the company’s commitment to shaping a future of sustainable, connected, and safer mobility in India. These buses herald a new era in inter-city mass public transport and signify a significant stride toward realizing the dream of sustainable mobility.

Tata Motors unveils hydrogen fuel cell buses, pioneering greener mobility. Photo courtesy of Tata Motors.

Tata Motors had won a tender from IOCL in June 2021 to provide 15 FCEV buses, intended for evaluating the potential of hydrogen-based PEM fuel-cell technology for mass transportation within and between cities.

The 12-meter long buses, crafted at Tata Motors’ cutting-edge R&D center in Pune, are designed for passenger comfort and accessibility. They can seat 35 passengers and underwent rigorous road tests and validations. Tata Motors collaborated with industry leaders and research institutions to adapt advanced hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology to Indian conditions, shaping the future of green transport.

Rajendra Petkar, President & Chief Technology Officer at Tata Motors, unveiled the technological marvels embedded in these FCEV buses. They feature a 350-bar hydrogen storage system, a 70 kW fuel cell stack, electronic braking systems for safety, intelligent transport systems, and telematics for efficient vehicle maintenance. This achievement reinforces Tata Motors’ commitment to carbon neutrality.

As India’s largest and most innovative commercial vehicle manufacturer, Tata Motors has consistently led the charge in engineering innovative mobility solutions powered by alternative fuel technologies. From battery-electric to hydrogen-based solutions, Tata Motors is propelling India toward a greener and more sustainable future.