Bhubaneswar-In a bid to achievezero net carbon emission target by 2070, the government of India is encouraging the use of environment friendly fuels.
India’s first hydrogen powered buses meant for public transport started its trial run in Leh, Ladakh on 17th August 2023, after it had undergo a three month long trial before it was open to the public.This was India’s first ever deployment of hydrogen buses on public roads.
The hydrogen powered buses powered by hydrogen Fuel Cell are part of the NTPC green mobility project in Ladakh. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 30, 2022. A total of five buses were to be deployed on the roads of Leh.
Marking a pathbreaking development in zero carbon emission transport in Odisha, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by NTPC Limited, GRIDCO Limited and Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) on Monday.
The MoU, effective for next five years, outlines the roles and responsibilities of the three parties involved. NTPC will focus on hydrogen production, GRIDCO will ensure renewable energy supply, and CRUT will manage the operations of the hydrogen-powered buses.
Hydrogen when burnt emits only water vapour as a by-product. With three times the energy density and the absence of harmful emissions, hydrogen shines as a cleaner, more efficient choice to meet the energy requirement.
The Odisha green mobility project will be cheaper in compare to other states like Ladakh and Delhi, when cost per Kilometre Rs 500 FOR Ladakh And Rs 100 for Delhi, it will be Rs 50 per kilometre.” Stated Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Sighdeo
The pilot project, with an investment of Rs 19.5 crore by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), will facilitate the transition from fossil fuel-based buses to eco-friendly hydrogen-powered buses. CRUT, under the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) in association with GRIDCO (Energy Department) is making a shift to a zero-emission policy.
Three hydrogen fuel cell buses will be deployed by NTPC. These buses are designed to replace traditional diesel buses, providing a sustainable alternative in public transport. The specification for the three fuel cell green buses includes a seating capacity of 42 passengers, a 150-kW drive motor, having 80-kW fuel cell capacity. Each bus has a fuel capacity of 58 kg, offering a mileage of 12 km per kg having a range of 600 km.
NTPC will establish a hydrogen production plant at the Gadakana depot of CRUT using the existing Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) for green hydrogen generation. This will support the clean energy requirements of the hydrogen buses.
