India tests hydrogen-powered heavy trucks using Tata Motors technology

India has taken a bold and promising step towards its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, with the official start of trials of the country’s first hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks. The milestone was led by Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, and represents a strategic move in the freight transportation sector—one of the most carbon-intensive and challenging to decarbonize. The initiative is funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and was celebrated at a ceremony presided over by Ministers Nitin Gadkari (Transport) and Pralhad Joshi (Renewable Energy), with high-level institutional and technical support.

Trucks of the Future: Innovation, Autonomy and Sustainability for Indian Roads

The testing phase will involve the circulation of 16 heavy vehicles with different powertrain configurations and load capacities, over a 24-month period, on strategic routes such as Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur and Kalinganagar. The trucks have been developed with cutting-edge technologies: Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2ICE) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV). Among the models highlighted are the Tata Prima H.55S (in ICE and FCEV versions) and the Prima H.28, which combine a range of up to 500 km, a premium cabin, advanced driving assistance and state-of-the-art safety systems.

In addition to drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with long-distance transport, the vehicles were designed with a focus on comfort and operational efficiency, increasing driver productivity and the country's logistics competitiveness. This is not just a technological experiment, but a clear sign of commercial viability, with the potential to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen supply infrastructure and consolidate India as a strategic player in the new global green economy..