India is targeting the deployment of around 400-500 hydrogen-powered buses by the end of 2030 as part of efforts to reduce emissions from the heavy mobility sector, according to Abhay Bakre, Mission Director, National Green Hydrogen Mission, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Speaking at a recent energy summit in New Delhi, Bakre said around 45-50 commercial heavy vehicles are expected to begin trials by the end of 2026.

The government has already sanctioned 70 buses and heavy-duty trucks for extensive trials over the next two years. The vehicles will have payload capacities ranging from 20 tonnes to 55 tonnes, covering applications in the heavy mobility segment.

Hydrogen Mobility Trials Expand

Infrastructure for hydrogen-based commercial mobility is also being developed alongside the vehicle trials. Bakre said more than six hydrogen fuelling stations are currently operational, while trials are planned across over 20 highways.

The trials are intended to support the development of a commercial ecosystem for hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles and assess their operational performance across different routes and applications.

Bakre said scaling up hydrogen mobility would also be important in reducing the cost differential between conventional and clean fuels. He indicated that the operating costs of diesel and hydrogen buses could become broadly comparable over the next two to three years.

Green Hydrogen to Support Clean Mobility

The hydrogen mobility programme is part of India’s broader efforts to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. According to Bakre, rising energy demand could increase the country’s requirement for imported fuels, while domestic green hydrogen production could help address part of this dependence.

Green hydrogen can be produced using renewable electricity, providing an alternative fuel for applications where direct electrification can be more challenging, including heavy-duty transport.

The government is therefore pursuing hydrogen mobility alongside the wider development of India’s green hydrogen ecosystem, with vehicle trials, fuelling infrastructure and highway-based demonstrations expected to support its commercial deployment.

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