India’s Hydrogen Highways Paving the Path to Clean Transportation Amid Global Green Hydrogen Growth
Green hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution. As nations worldwide invest heavily in hydrogen infrastructure, India is following suit with its own roadmap for hydrogen-powered transportation. This move aligns closely with global trends in the green hydrogen sector, where both challenges and progress are evident.
In 2024, green hydrogen initiatives reached a significant milestone globally, with large-scale projects in Oman and Morocco, supported by major players such as Actis, Fortescue, TotalEnergies, and KKR. These projects focus on creating green hydrogen production capacity, especially in regions with strong solar resources. While global investments are growing, one key takeaway remains: many green hydrogen projects have yet to materialise, with only 3% of the announced 100 million tonnes of green hydrogen projects reaching Final Investment Decision (FID). This reflects the challenges faced by the sector in bridging the gap between hydrogen producers’ costs and buyers’ willingness to pay. India, on its part, is aligning its clean transport goals with this global trend. Hydrogen is set to play a vital role in India’s efforts to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, which is one of the largest contributors to the country’s carbon footprint. The Indian government is developing a national roadmap for hydrogen-powered transport infrastructure, with a special focus on hydrogen corridors for both passenger and freight vehicles. This mirrors the global trend of setting up dedicated hydrogen corridors, such as those proposed in Europe and other regions with advanced green hydrogen projects.
In particular, India’s focus is on developing hydrogen refuelling stations and corridors like the Delhi-Agra route, which could become a key pilot for hydrogen-powered buses and trucks. Leading Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland are already conducting research and developing hydrogen-powered vehicles, including hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) models and fuel cell buses. However, widespread adoption hinges on the development of reliable hydrogen infrastructure, a challenge that India shares with other nations like Germany and Spain, where projects often face delays. India’s strategy also reflects the global concern regarding the need for large investments in hydrogen infrastructure. As part of its National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030, targeting a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. The country’s existing hydrogen production, mostly grey hydrogen used in industries like oil refining, emits CO2, but the shift to green hydrogen—produced from renewable energy—will help India cut down its emissions.
Much like the global green hydrogen scene, India’s road to hydrogen-powered transport is also fraught with challenges. The commercialisation of hydrogen as a fuel requires overcoming hurdles such as high initial costs, the establishment of high-pressure hydrogen stations (700 bar), and regulatory hurdles. However, the involvement of private sector players, including manufacturers and steel companies, is crucial for creating the necessary infrastructure and accelerating the adoption of hydrogen in transportation. Despite these obstacles, India is taking significant steps towards making hydrogen a viable alternative fuel. The upcoming roadmap, which includes addressing safety protocols, local manufacturing of hydrogen storage cylinders, and regulatory permissions, is expected to play a key role in paving the way for India’s hydrogen highways. As the global green hydrogen market continues to evolve, India’s efforts to establish hydrogen-powered transportation corridors reflect a growing awareness of the sector’s potential. India’s approach mirrors the global trajectory of scaling up hydrogen infrastructure, acknowledging that although the road ahead may be challenging, it holds the promise of cleaner, greener, and more sustainable mobility for the future.
