Developed by KPIT-CSIR in Pune, India’s first domestically developed hydrogen fuel cell bus was launched by the Union Minister of State, Dr. Jitendra Singh. This project is being touted as a part of Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Hydrogen Vision’ that aims to provide affordable and accessible green energy to the developing country while meeting its climate change goals and creating job opportunities.
Singh said that green hydrogen is a wonderful clean energy option as it enables deep decarbonisation of hard-to-eliminate carbon emissions from various parts of the anthropogenic industry. The fuel cell uses hydrogen and air to produce electricity for bus operations. The only residue from the process is water, which makes it incredibly environmentally friendly. Comparatively, a single diesel bus working long distances generates 100 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Image: PIB
Alongside reduced carbon emissions, the high efficiency of fuel cells ensures that the operational costs in rupees per kilometre for fuel cell vehicles are significantly lower than fossil fuel-powered modes of transportation. This will not only reduce the travel costs but also lessen the amount of air pollution spewed from the vehicles.
The minister also said that about 12-14 percent of carbon emissions and particulate emissions come from heavy commercial vehicles that run on fossil fuels. These emissions are decentralized and are difficult to capture. The joint development efforts of KPIT and CSIR-NCL will contribute significantly toward reaching the zero-emission goal of the country.The subcontinent also plans to boost its inland waterways for freight and passenger transport, where the hydrogen fuel cell will offer clean transportation. Domestic production can help establish India as a net exporter of clean hydrogen energy.
Via: Press Release