To advance hydrogen and fuel cell technology in heavy-duty e-mobility, Indian Oil presented a hydrogen fuel cell bus to the Indian Army at a ceremony held at the National War Memorial in Delhi. Additionally, IndianOil signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army to spearhead the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology for heavy-duty electric mobility.
This initiative positions the Indian Army as a leader in assessing hydrogen fuel cell technology in partnership with IndianOil, aiming to enhance future mobility in India. The handover and signing ceremony took place in the presence of General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff, S M Vaidya, Chairman of IndianOil, and senior officials from both IndianOil and the Indian Army.
"The partnership between IndianOil and the Indian Army spans over six decades and is built on an unbreakable bond of trust. I am glad we're now taking this to the next level wherein based on the government's new green hydrogen mission of 2023, the IOC has developed the technology for production of green hydrogen and with the help of Tata Motors", said General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army.
The project aims to evaluate the operational capabilities of fuel-cell electric buses for public transit within the challenging climatic conditions of the Delhi NCR region. It will analyze how local fuel and air quality affect the performance of fuel-cell systems and vehicles. Furthermore, the project will assess the efficiency, durability, and operational dependability of hydrogen fuel cell buses designed for public fleet usage.
"It is indeed a very momentous day today that a bus which is part of the green hydrogen fuel cell bus fleet will now be operated by the Indian Army. This collaboration with the Indian Army is a landmark step towards a greener and more sustainable future. IndianOil is currently operating 15 fuel cell buses in the Delhi-NCR region accumulating a total mileage of 300,000 kilometers i.e. 20,000 kms on each bus", said S M Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil. This initiative represents a significant stride towards sustainable transportation, establishing a model for future partnerships dedicated to advancing green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in India.