Hydrogen-IC engine may be key to India's net-zero goals

Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Switch bet on alternative technologies to cut carbon emissions

- Alisha Sachdev

The commercial vehicle industry is gearing up to adopt low-or zero-emission technologies as India pursues its clean energy commitments, investing in hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines (hydrogen-ICE), and battery electric vehicles, to address varied commercial applications and mobility needs.

Hydrogen-ICE technology promises to be a feasible and more accessible alternative to hydrogen fuel cells. Here, the internal combustion engine uses a clean and carbon-free fuel like hydrogen, which is also more economically viable, and a stepping stone to hydrogen fuel cells to power heavy commercial vehicles and intracity and interstate buses.

While hydrogen storage, availability and high cost of green hydrogen could limit its benefits for short-haul applications, the industry is also betting big on battery electric vehicles and CNGpowered light commercial vehicles as a better alternative for intra-city applications.