Tata Motors unveils cutting-edge facilities to develop hydrogen propulsion technologies

Tata Motors today unveiled two state-of-the-art, new-age R&D facilities for offering sustainable mobility solutions. They constitute an engine test cell for development of an hydrogen internal combustion engine and the necessary infrastructure for storage and dispensing of hydrogen fuel for the Fuel Cell and H2ICE vehicles.

According to Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, “We believe hydrogen to be the fuel of the future, especially for commercial vehicles. With the opening of this dedicated R&D facility to develop and indigenise hydrogen propulsion technology, we are entering a new era of technological innovations and advancements in green mobility. The resulting benefits from an altogether new class of powertrains and engines will take our customers and our nation future forward.”

Rajendra Petkar, President and CTO, Tata Motors, commented: “This is a significant moment for us as we create hydrogen-based internal combustion engine development facility and the associated infrastructure for fuel storage and dispensing at our Engineering Research Centre. This development is a testimony to Tata Motors’ continued commitment and leadership towards net zero and long-term vision for offering differentiated powertrain solutions across segments under one roof. We have been investing in the Hydrogen technology for the last many years and continue to be committed for harnessing its maximum potential through research and product development.”

Tata Motors had showcased the Prima E55 hydrogen fuel cell-powered tractor concept (above), and the Starbus Fuel Cell EV (below), India’s first hydrogen fuel cell bus for commercial application, at Auto Expo 2023.

Tata Motors had showcased one of the widest range of commercial vehicle concepts at Auto Expo 2023 earlier this year. This included the flagship Prima tractor, a heavy commercial vehicle in two avatars: one with a Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine and other with Fuel Cell Technology along with the next generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell bus. On September 25, 2023 the company delivered two new-generation hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses to Indian Oil Corporation as part of a tender bagged in 2021.

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