Tata Motors has announced that the brand will deliver 15 hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell buses to IOCL. Under the joint developmental cum demonstration program, Tata Motors and Indian Oil Corporation teams have been conceiving, planning and executing the effort under the strong support from the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Indian Oil is committed to supplying hydrogen energy in India. IOCL will be setting up ~1 ton per day hydrogen production pilot plants. Tata Motors also revealed that the brand would collaborate with IOCL for innovative fuel cell research in India.
In December 2020, IOCL invited bids for PEM fuel cell buses, and Tata Motors emerged as the winner of the bids. The automotive brand has announced that it will deliver 15 buses within 144 weeks from signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). IOCL selected Tata Motors as the winner following a thorough evaluation process.
The companies plan to collectively study further the potential of Fuel Cell technology for commercial vehicles as part of the collaboration. In addition to supplying the Fuel Cell power buses, the partners will jointly operate, test and maintain the buses. Furthermore, the IOCL will use the buses for public transport in real-world conditions in Delhi-NCR. IOCL will generate, dispense and refuel the buses with the hydrogen for the propulsion of these buses.
These steps will lead India into making hydrogen the ultimate net-zero fuel. Under the initiative, the hydrogen-powered buses will take different iconic routes and essential sectors in the country. These steps will act as stepping stones for various projects that IOCL will undertake in the near future.
According to Tata Motors, transportation causes a tenth of India’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Tata fuel cell bus will help curb such toxic emissions and reduce millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Also Read: GreenCell will deploy 350 low floor electric buses across Uttar Pradesh