India is taking concrete steps to integrate green hydrogen into its transport sector, with plans underway to establish a network of hydrogen infrastructure along its national highways. This initiative follows the rollout of public electric vehicle charging stations and aligns with the government's broader energy security objectives and commitment to environmental sustainability.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is spearheading this effort, recognizing hydrogen's potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate carbon emissions from the transportation sector. The development of hydrogen highways involves creating dedicated corridors equipped with hydrogen refueling stations to support vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. These corridors aim to connect major urban centers and industrial hubs, facilitating seamless travel and logistics operations.
A specialized steering committee, comprising officials from MoRTH, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and the Principal Scientific Advisor to the government, is tasked with developing a comprehensive roadmap for establishing hydrogen-dispensing infrastructure across the country. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will chair the meeting. This roadmap will address critical aspects such as safety clearances, regulatory permissions, and the local manufacturing of essential components like type 3 and type 4 cylinders to reduce import dependence and lower costs.
The government is considering various storage pressures for hydrogen, ranging from 350 to 700 bar, to ensure both efficiency and safety. Pilot projects are also in the works, with a potential hydrogen corridor being the Delhi-Agra route. Leading automotive manufacturers like Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland are actively involved, researching and developing hydrogen-powered vehicles, including prototypes of hydrogen internal combustion engines (ICE) and fuel cell buses.
To support these initiatives, the Indian government has launched a 4.96 billion rupee ($60 million) program to fund pilot projects using hydrogen for heavy-duty road transport. The program will focus on two key areas: using hydrogen to power trucks and buses via fuel cells and internal combustion engines, and supporting the development and deployment of H2 refueling stations. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will also designate certain routes as "hydrogen highways," where the government will support the rollout of infrastructure for H2 production, distribution, and refueling.
India aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 under the national green hydrogen mission. This target is equivalent to roughly half of India's projected overall hydrogen demand of 11 MMTPA at that time. Achieving this goal requires diversified and localized value chains, economies of scale, and a robust network of dispensing stations.
While the vision for hydrogen highways is ambitious, several challenges need to be addressed. The commercialization of hydrogen as a fuel faces hurdles, including high upfront costs for setting up high-pressure dispensing stations. The cost of hydrogen will have to fall to make it a viable alternative. Currently, India produces 6.5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of hydrogen, mainly for use in crude oil refineries and fertilizer production. Most of this is grey hydrogen, produced using fossil fuels, which generates CO2 emissions. The transition to green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy sources, is crucial for reducing emissions.
