Tata Motors bags order of 15 hydrogen-based fuel cell buses from IOCL

This initiative would also act as a steppingstone for various other key programs of Indian Oil, which proposes to introduce hydrogen-based mobility on different iconic routes and important sectors in the country.

Mumbai - Tata Motors Ltd of Mumbai, a commercial vehicle manufacturer has won the tender price bid of 15 hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell buses from the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the value of USD 61.29mn.

Buses must be delivered within 144 weeks from the date of signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Sh. S.M. Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil, said, Indian Oil has been pioneering the national efforts towards ushering in the hydrogen economy for various applications, including mobility. This 1st of its kind project in the country is bringing the country’s largest fuel supplier and largest commercial vehicle manufacturer on board to take the hydrogen & fuel cell technology to the next level. This initiative would also act as a steppingstone for various other key programs of Indian Oil, which proposes to introduce hydrogen-based mobility on different iconic routes and important sectors in the country. These futuristic steps are in the right direction for making hydrogen as the ultimate net-zero fuel.

Mr. Girish Wagh, President, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors said, "We are delighted to win this prestigious tender from IOCL for it adds to Tata Motors’ rich legacy of introducing future ready technologies for cleaner and greener public transport. This order to supply PEM Fuel Cell buses from a company as respected as Indian Oil Corporation, further encourages our ongoing efforts on developing India-focused alternative sustainable fuels to transform the future of mobility in India."

Dr. SSV Ramakumar, Director (R&D), Indian Oil while congratulating Tata Motors Ltd., mentioned that lot of hard work has been put in by the Indian Oil R&D team towards conceiving, planning, and executing this joint developmental cum demonstration program with a strong support from Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Indian Oil through cutting edge R&D, is committed to strengthen the production and supply chain of hydrogen energy in India and would be setting up ~1 ton per day hydrogen production pilot plants based on 4 innovative pathways besides collaborating with Tata Motors for fuel cell research.