Tata Motors, in partnership with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), is set to begin a pilot project this quarter featuring trucks powered by hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE). This initiative marks a significant step toward the adoption of green hydrogen in the Indian transport sector.
Part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the pilot program will run for 12 to 18 months, collecting data on both the vehicle performance and the refueling infrastructure needed for hydrogen-powered vehicles. The trial will take place on key routes, including Jamshedpur-Kalinganagar, Mumbai-Ahmedabad, and Mumbai-Pune, to assess the commercial viability of hydrogen trucks and the infrastructure required to support them.
Tata Motors, which unveiled its hydrogen-powered commercial vehicle, the Tata Prima H.28, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in New Delhi, is eager to lead the way in the hydrogen vehicle space. This vehicle, equipped with a cutting-edge four-cylinder H2ICE engine, offers a range of 550 kilometers, positioning Tata Motors at the forefront of India’s transition to sustainable transportation.
Girish Wagh, Executive Director at Tata Motors, shared, “We are proud to be the first OEM to receive this hydrogen pilot project allotment from the government. Around 15 hydrogen-powered trucks will operate across three routes this quarter. This pilot is not only about testing the vehicles but also evaluating the infrastructure required for hydrogen refueling. IOC will establish refueling stations at their outlets, and we will gather insights on how hydrogen can be integrated into long-distance trucking.”
At the Expo, Tata Motors also displayed a range of 14 smart commercial vehicles equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and six advanced intelligent solutions providing real-time performance data, along with four high-tech aggregates. The event showcased various powertrain technologies, including diesel, biodiesel, CNG, LNG, ethanol, battery electric, and hydrogen-powered engines.
On the outlook for commercial vehicle sales, Wagh noted that Tata Motors expects a recovery in FY26, with the fourth quarter of the year being a key indicator. He added, “While Q1 showed positive results, the second quarter saw a decline due to weather conditions affecting mining and consumption. Q3 showed some recovery, and we are optimistic that Q4 will stabilize and remain flat compared to the previous year.”
Tata Motors, a flagship company of the Tata Group, is a leading global automobile manufacturer with a diverse portfolio of vehicles, including cars, SUVs, buses, trucks, and electric vehicles. Headquartered in Mumbai, Tata Motors operates across multiple markets, offering innovative, reliable, and sustainable mobility solutions.
With operations in India, UK, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2024, Tata Motors’ operations include 90 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, five joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence.
