NTPC begins hydrogen bus trail runs in Leh

Integrated energy company NTPC has begun trials of an intra-city hydrogen bus operation in Leh on a trial basis. This is India’s first-ever deployment of hydrogen fuel cell buses on public roads.

The first hydrogen bus reached Leh on August 17, 2023 as part of a three-month-long process of field trials, roadworthiness tests and other statutory procedures. Towards achieving a carbon-neutral Ladakh, NTPC is setting up a hydrogen fuelling station, solar plant and providing five fuel cell buses for operation on intracity routes of Leh.

The first-of-its-kind Green Hydrogen Mobility Project at 11,562 feet is co-located with a dedicated solar plant of 1.7 MW for providing renewable power. A unique feature of this project is that the fuel cell buses are designed for operation in sub-zero temperatures in rarefied atmosphere, typical of high-altitude locations.  

NTPC, which aims to achieve 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032 and be a major player in green hydrogen technology and energy storage, is driving a number of decarbonisation initiatives like hydrogen blending, carbon capture, EV buses and smart NTPC townships. 

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