March 4th,2025
Tata Motors has launched a 24-month trial of 16 hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks. This project marks a clear step toward greener freight transport in India. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the trial. The initiative falls under the National Green Hydrogen Mission and is funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The trial fleet features two Tata Prima H.55S prime movers and one Tata Prima H.28 truck. One H.55S uses a hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE) and the other relies on fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technology. The H.28 truck also uses a hydrogen internal combustion engine. Each vehicle can travel between 300 and 500 km. They also include advanced driver-assist systems that help improve safety and reduce driver fatigue.
The trucks will run on key freight corridors such as Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar. Industry sources project that the fleet will cover over 100,000 km during the trial. Tata Motors plans to measure fuel consumption, maintenance needs, and overall performance. Early tests indicate that hydrogen refueling may take under 10 minutes—an important benefit for logistics operations.
In addition, the trial will provide crucial data on the efficiency of hydrogen as an alternative to diesel. Experts estimate that switching to hydrogen could cut carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to conventional trucks. The project also supports plans to develop more hydrogen refueling stations along major freight routes.
Tata Motors has a strong record in alternative fuel technology. The company previously deployed 15 hydrogen FCEV buses in India. With this trial, Tata Motors aims to set new benchmarks in clean transportation and may lead the wider adoption of hydrogen in the heavy-duty transport sector.
