Tata Motors delivers hydrogen fuel cell buses to Indian Oil Corporation

On September 25, 2023, India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, Tata Motors, delivered two first-of-its-kind Hydrogen Fuel Cell-powered (FCEV) buses to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL). The buses were inaugurated by dignitaries, including Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Rameswar Teli, Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Labour & Employment, and other government and Tata Motors officials. This marks a significant step towards decarbonised mobility in the country.

In June of 2021, Tata Motors secured a contract from IOCL to supply 15 FCEV buses for the purpose of evaluating hydrogen-based PEM fuel-cell technology in India. These buses are being considered as a potential solution for mass transportation within and between cities. Manufactured at Tata Motors’ R&D center in Pune, these 12-meter-long buses are designed with a low-floor layout, accommodating up to 35 passengers. The buses were delivered after undergoing thorough road tests and validations. Tata Motors collaborated with well-regarded industry partners and research institutions to acquire the necessary expertise for adapting advanced hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology to Indian conditions, which played a crucial role in developing these buses.

Speaking about the technology and innovations incorporated in these new age FCEV buses, Mr Rajendra Petkar, President & Chief Technology Officer, Tata Motors, said, “This bus features 350-bar hydrogen storage system, 70 Kw fuel cell stack, electronic braking system & stability control for higher safety, intelligent transport system, new-generation telematics for efficient, user-friendly vehicle maintenance and tracking along with roomy interiors. This development is a testimony to Tata Motors’ continued commitment and leadership towards carbon neutrality. As a part of the MoU, Tata Motors and IOCL will continue to make further advances in the core technology related to PEM fuel cells in the times to come.”

Speaking about the successful deployment of the first-of-its-kind FCEV bus, Mr Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, said, “This is an outcome of the progressive policies of the Government, IOCL’s focus on future-readiness and Tata Motors’ R&D prowess, all collaborating to fulfil the common vision of clean mobility in India. The delivery of the FCEV buses to IOCL marks a significant step forward in this journey and we are grateful for the trust and support of our partners. At Tata Motors, we always prioritise nation-building and are leading the global megatrend of sustainable, connected, and safer mobility in the country. The delivery of these buses today heralds a new era in inter-city mass public transport and marks another step forward towards fulfilling the aspiration of sustainable mobility. With proactive actions to develop and adapt new age technologies, we are creating future-ready transport solutions for both cargo and people to address the mobility needs of tomorrow’s India, today.”  

Tata Motors has consistently explored alternate fuel technologies such as battery-electric, hybrid, CNG, LNG, Hydrogen ICE, and Hydrogen Fuel Cell technologies.

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