India's First Commercial Deployment of Hydrogen Fuel Buses in Leh
Key Ideas
- NTPC Ltd provided 5 hydrogen fuel cell buses to SIDCO for operations in Leh, marking India's first commercial deployment of such buses.
- The initiative at an altitude of 11,562 feet sets a global benchmark for green mobility and aims to mitigate 350 MT/year of carbon emissions.
- NTPC also launched a hydrogen fuelling station and a Green Hydrogen Mobility Station in Leh to support the operation of the buses.
- The project is designed for operation in sub-zero temperatures and will contribute 230 MT/year of pure oxygen, equivalent to 13,000 tree plantations.
NTPC Ltd, a state-run company, handed over 5 hydrogen fuel cell buses to SIDCO in Leh, making it India's first commercial deployment of such buses. This move is part of India's decarbonisation efforts and aims to promote green mobility. The buses, operating at an altitude of 11,562 feet, are supported by a dedicated solar plant for renewable power. NTPC had previously launched a hydrogen fuelling station and a Green Hydrogen Mobility Station in Leh. The project targets reducing carbon emissions by around 350 MT/year and contributing 230 MT/year of pure oxygen to the atmosphere. The high-pressure hydrogen dispensation system at 350 bar and the buses' design for sub-zero temperatures make them suitable for the rarefied atmosphere of high altitudes. NTPC describes the project as a significant step towards sustainable transport, emphasizing the environmental benefits it brings to the region.