Tata's hydrogen bus gets nod for roadworthiness trials from govt

The road transport and highways ministry has approved two hydrogen-powered buses manufactured by Tata Motors for road worthiness trials.

The hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell buses are being manufactured under a special contract for Indian Oil Corporation.

Tata Motors had won a tender for 15 hydrogen fuel cell buses from IOCL. Besides, IOCL had also signed an MoU with Tata Motors for two buses for demonstration purposes.


"We have received an approval from the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) for conducting vehicle trials for these two buses," Tata Motors said in an email response to ET.

IOCL is in process of seeking other required clearances and the trials will commence once approval processes are complete, it added.

Tata Motors had secured this order from IOCL in June-end last year. Bids for these buses were called in December 2020. This is an internal project of IOCL partly funded by the ministry of petroleum and natural gas. According to officials in the know, Tata Motors will approach the roads ministry once the buses are ready for road permit as part of the scope of order awarded to them.

Tata Motors said development of the buses is on schedule. "Testing of second-phase prototypes is expected to begin over the next few months," the company said, adding that the buses will be delivered in a staggered manner.