Sentient Labs showcases made-in-India hydrogen fuel cell bus

Pune- Pune-based R&D innovation firm, Sentient Labs Private Limited demonstrated an indigenously developed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus. The start-up is incubated by KPIT Technologies Ltd. which has collaborated with CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)-NCL (National Chemical Laboratory) and CSIR-CECRI (Central Electrochemical Research Institute) to develop the hydrogen fuel cell technology.

A 9-meter, 32-seater, air-conditioned bus is designed to provide a range of 450 kms while utilizing 30 kgs of Hydrogen. A modular architecture allows for changes in the design to suit requirements of range and operating conditions. The fuel cell utilizes Hydrogen and Air to generate electricity to power the bus. The only effluent from the bus is water, therefore making it possibly the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

Recently Sentient had announced the world’s first technology that generates hydrogen directly from agricultural residue for use in fuel cell-powered vehicles. This technology adds to the line-up of efforts around sustainable mobility. In addition to the hydrogen fuel cell technology, Sentient Labs also indigenously designed and developed from ground up other key components like Balance of Plant, Powertrain, and Battery pack. Sentient Labs is passionate to support the India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for transportation by providing clean and smart technologies.

Mr Ravi Pandit, Chairman of Sentient Labs, said, "We are proud to launch an indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell power bus. A strong technical team along with CSIR-NCL worked on several technology components. This will go a long way in powering Hydrogen Mission, Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and importantly sustainable mobility. We envision that the solution will see wide-spread adoption powered by several partnerships. Our efforts will also be pivotal in enabling vehicle makers and suppliers to build a net-zero carbon path in India."

Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, Member of Board of Directors, Sentient Labs, said, "World over, efforts related to green hydrogen revolution are on, but Sentient Labs stands out. At Sentient, challenges that are core to India are understood, and solutions are developed. Digitization, decentralisation and decarbonization is what India needs for sustainable mobility and these innovations from Sentient will go a long way."