Tata Motors, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority Sign MoU to Deploy 40 Hydrogen Trucks

Tata Motors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, to deploy 40 Green Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine-powered (H2 ICE) prime movers at the port. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.

Under the terms of the MoU, Tata Motors will begin with trials of a hydrogen-powered prime mover, followed by the phased deployment of the full fleet of 40 H2 ICE trucks over the next two years. The project is to be funded by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The vehicle selected for the project is the Tata Motors Prima 55-tonne prime mover, which the company describes as engineered for high-performance and cost-efficient transport. The cabin includes advanced driver-assist safety features aimed at improving driver comfort and reducing fatigue.

To support the induction of the hydrogen-powered fleet, VOCPA is also progressing plans to establish a 2 MW electrolyser and a dedicated hydrogen refuelling station at the port. The port authority has stated the initiative is part of a broader effort to decarbonise cargo handling operations and develop a green hydrogen ecosystem at the facility.

Tata Motors has been conducting hydrogen-powered truck trials across key freight corridors in India since 2025. The company also holds a tender for 15 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) buses, which are currently deployed on Indian roads. Its alternative fuel portfolio spans battery electric, CNG, LNG, hydrogen ICE, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies across commercial vehicle segments.