The government has launched five pilot projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to introduce hydrogen-powered buses and trucks.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) sanctioned these projects, involving 37 vehicles - 15 hydrogen fuel-cell and 22 hydrogen internal combustion engine-based, alongside nine hydrogen refueling stations. The pilot projects will operate on ten routes, including Greater Noida-Delhi-Agra, Pune-Mumbai, and Bhubaneshwar-Konark-Puri. Major companies such as TATA Motors, Reliance Industries, NTPC, and Ashok Leyland have been awarded contracts.

The government has allocated Rs 208 crore in financial support, with commissioning expected within 18 to 24 months. One of the mission's objectives is to support "the phased pilot deployment of Green Hydrogen as fuel in buses and trucks."

These projects will assess hydrogen-based vehicles and infrastructure under real-world conditions, validating their technical feasibility and economic viability. The National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched on 04 January, 2023, has a budget of Rs 19,744 crore until 2029-30.