New Delhi: Two hydrogen-powered shuttle buses have recently become operational in the Central Vista area, marking the first such service for the city. Each hydrogen bus is equipped with four cylinders mounted on the roof, providing a total capacity of approximately 30 kg of hydrogen. On a single refill, a hydrogen bus can travel nearly 250 km. Currently, the buses cover about 180 km daily, including trips to Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s station at Faridabad for refuelling.
Challenges with Hydrogen Vehicles
Experts say high costs and a lack of refuelling infrastructure are major issues with hydrogen-powered vehicles. Amit Bhatt, India managing director of the International Council on Clean Transportation, explained that there are two types of hydrogen-powered vehicles. The first is the hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, which does not emit carbon dioxide but produces nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. Globally, such vehicles are not considered zero-emission vehicles. The second type is the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, in which green molecules are converted into green electrons, generating electricity to power the vehicle. These are considered zero-emission vehicles. The buses introduced in the Central Vista area are based on fuel cell mode.
Efficiency and Costs
Umish Srivastva, executive director in-charge of Indian Oil’s R&D centre in Faridabad, stated: “Hydrogen ICE vehicles have an efficiency of 30-35%, while hydrogen fuel cell buses are nearly twice as efficient at 60%. The operational cost of a CNG bus is about Rs 60 per km, including expenses such as driver wages and refuelling. In comparison, the cost for a hydrogen bus is around Rs 100 per km, largely because the technology has not yet achieved economies of scale.”
Srivastva added that compared to electric buses, hydrogen fuel cell buses are considered completely zero-emission vehicles as they are powered using green hydrogen generated from renewable energy, such as solar power. “Electric buses, on the other hand, rely on electricity drawn from the grid, which in India is still largely dependent on coal-based power generation,” said Srivastva. He also noted that apart from the Central Vista area, one such bus has been provided to the Army, Navy, and three to IOCL’s Gujarat refinery.
Infrastructure and Viability Concerns
Bhatt highlighted that one of the major challenges with hydrogen ICE vehicles is the storage and dispensing of hydrogen. “The existing CNG infrastructure cannot be readily adapted for hydrogen. Another concern is the economic viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles, especially at a time when demand for battery EVs is rising rapidly,” he added. In India, hydrogen-powered vehicles are not yet commercially available, making it difficult to compare their costs with electric vehicles. However, pilot projects involving hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are underway in Leh and Ladakh, and Union minister Nitin Gadkari has also been using such vehicles on a trial basis, said Bhatt.
“The main challenges with hydrogen-powered vehicles are their exorbitant cost and the lack of supporting infrastructure. While new technologies should certainly be explored, there is a need to examine whether hydrogen can be used more effectively in sectors such as green shipping and industrial decarbonisation,” he added.
Efficiency Comparisons with EVs
Experts pointed out that EVs are more efficient than hydrogen-based vehicles. Mobility expert Shreya Gadepalli said hydrogen is inefficient, as electricity is used to produce it through a process called electrolysis. “It is then stored at high pressure, transported to fuelling centres, filled into cylinders in the vehicle and ‘burnt’ to produce electricity that drives electric motors on the vehicle. There is significant loss of usable energy in the process,” said Gadepalli. She added that hydrogen is very expensive as the whole process of production and transport costs a lot, making it financially unviable at present. “Hydrogen is highly flammable and can be dangerous if not carefully handled,” she said. She also noted that India is dependent on West Asia for oil and on China for batteries required in EVs.
