The green hydrogen fuel cell bus represents a significant step towards sustainability-S.M. Vaidya

New Delhi:* 24.07.2024,  IndianOil has taken a significant step towards eco-friendly transportation by delivering a green hydrogen fuel cell bus to the Indian Navy. This milestone was celebrated with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities, marking a new chapter in heavy-duty e-mobility.

The signing ceremony at Nau Sena Bhawan, New Delhi, was attended by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, and Mr. S M Vaidya, Chairman of IndianOil. The MoU was exchanged between Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor, Controller of Logistics for the Indian Navy, and Dr. Kannan Chandrasekaran, Executive Director of IndianOil, signifying a commitment to pioneering hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Admiral Tripathi commented on the collaboration, noting, “The partnership between IndianOil and the Indian Navy is based on mutual trust. We look forward to testing the hydrogen bus and integrating more environment-friendly transportation solutions. We are grateful to IndianOil for selecting the Indian Navy as their partner in this initiative, which aligns with our mission of being a ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Ready Force’.”

Mr. Vaidya expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “This event marks a major milestone in our journey towards sustainability. The green hydrogen fuel cell bus for the Indian Navy represents our commitment to innovation and green technology. IndianOil is proud to lead the way in advancing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, supporting our defence forces with cutting-edge solutions for future needs.” IndianOil currently operates 15 fuel cell buses in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, collectively covering 300,000 kilometers, with each bus expected to run at least 20,000 kilometers.

Conclusion

The initiative to promote hydrogen and fuel cell technology for heavy-duty e-mobility aims to position the Indian Navy at the forefront of sustainable transportation. By assessing the performance of fuel cell electric buses in challenging conditions, the collaboration seeks to set a benchmark for green public transit solutions in India.