India’s commercial vehicle sector embraces a new era of clean mobility as hydrogen-powered trucks and buses hit the roads, signaling a bold shift beyond fossil fuels and electric vehicles.
India’s transportation landscape is witnessing a historic transformation as the country races ahead in its green mobility journey, moving beyond fossil fuels and electric vehicles (EVs) to embrace hydrogen-powered trucks and buses. From Jamnagar refinery to the high-altitude terrains of Leh and the congested city roads of Delhi, hydrogen vehicles are becoming a reality on Indian roads.
The transition is a strategic component of India’s broader energy shift under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aimed at reducing dependency on fossil fuels and cutting carbon emissions. While electric vehicles have been central to India’s decarbonization strategy, hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles (CVs) are emerging as the next big leap in clean transportation.
Pioneering this movement is Ashok Leyland, which partnered with Reliance Industries to develop India’s first hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) truck in 2023. The company has since deployed more than 20 of these heavy-duty trucks, which together have logged over 250,000 kilometers — delivering performance on par with traditional diesel engines.
Tata Motors and other leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are also investing heavily in hydrogen mobility, crafting independent strategies to future-proof their portfolios. These efforts are not just aligned with government policies but reflect a deeper industry commitment to sustainable innovation and energy independence.
With the world’s third-largest transportation market and a strong push for decarbonization, India’s rapid adoption of hydrogen technology marks a critical milestone in its journey toward clean mobility. The hydrogen revolution has begun — and it’s driving India toward a greener, more resilient future.