India showcases green hydrogen bus to Bhutan’s Prime Minister

Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas showcased a hydrogen-fuelled bus to Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, and his delegation today as part of a demonstration of India’s growing advancements in green hydrogen mobility. The bus, developed by IndianOil, highlights India’s efforts to promote sustainable transportation solutions, according to the Press Information Bureau.

The event, attended by senior dignitaries including V Satish Kumar, Chairman & Director (Marketing) of IndianOil, underscored India’s commitment to green hydrogen as a key component of its clean energy future. India’s strides in green hydrogen are a testament to its commitment to sustainable energy solutions, Puri said. “We are eager to collaborate with regional partners like Bhutan to pave the way for a cleaner, greener future,” he added.

The demonstration reflects the shared vision of India and Bhutan for advancing green energy initiatives. Bhutan’s delegation expressed interest in adopting green hydrogen technology as part of its environmental sustainability efforts.

IndianOil has been at the forefront of hydrogen research since 2004, initially working with hydrogen-CNG blends. In recent years, the company has expanded its green hydrogen initiatives, including projects focused on hydrogen storage, transportation, and various industrial applications. India’s first hydrogen dispensing station, located at IndianOil’s R&D Centre in Faridabad is operational, and a collaboration with Tata Motors has led to the development of green hydrogen fuel cell buses.

Currently, eight fuel cell buses, including one each for the Indian Army and Navy, are operational in the Delhi NCR region. Four additional buses are running in Vadodara, supported by IndianOil’s hydrogen dispensing infrastructure. The company’s efforts reinforce its leadership in promoting eco-friendly transportation solutions.

This demonstration of hydrogen-fueled transportation comes as part of India’s broader push toward achieving its decarbonization targets and developing green hydrogen as a viable energy source for the future.

Hydrogen fuel cell buses are regarded as some of the most environmentally friendly vehicles, as they run on green hydrogen, which emits only water vapor and hydrogen as byproducts when used as fuel. India's first green hydrogen fuel cell bus was unveiled during the opening ceremony of India Energy Week (IEW), which commenced in Goa on February 6.