India's Initiative: Dual-Colour Number Plates for Hydrogen Vehicles by 2025
Key Ideas
- The Indian government proposed dual-colour number plates for hydrogen vehicles to enhance identification, with distinct codes for private, commercial, and rental use.
- Hydrogen fuel is being promoted for its potential in decarbonising transport, especially for long-haul trucks and buses, due to its energy density and lightweight storage.
- Indian companies like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Olectra Greentech are actively involved in developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, supported by pilot projects by major firms to build refuelling infrastructure.
- Director of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Abhay Bakre, anticipates over 1,000 hydrogen-powered trucks and buses on Indian roads by 2030, with an initial 50 expected to be operational this year.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in India has proposed the introduction of dual-colour number plates for hydrogen vehicles by 2025 to facilitate the identification of such vehicles. The scheme includes distinctive colour combinations for private, commercial, and rental hydrogen vehicles to promote green mobility and align with existing practices for different vehicle types in the country. Private hydrogen vehicles will bear number plates with a green top half and a blue bottom half, while commercial vehicles will have the same background but with yellow figures. Additionally, hydrogen-powered cabs available for rent will feature plates with a black top half and a blue bottom half with yellow figures.
India is strategically pursuing a multi-fuel approach to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector, with hydrogen fuel emerging as a promising option, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses. The high energy density and lightweight storage of hydrogen make it an attractive alternative to traditional batteries. The country's automotive industry players such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Olectra Greentech are actively engaged in developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, with support from pilot projects by major corporations like Reliance Industries, BPCL, and HPCL to establish refuelling infrastructure along key transportation routes.
Director Abhay Bakre of the National Green Hydrogen Mission envisions a significant uptake of hydrogen-powered trucks and buses in India, with a projection of over 1,000 such vehicles on the roads by 2030. The initial phase aims to introduce 50 hydrogen-powered vehicles this year. These initiatives align with India's broader goal of transitioning to cleaner fuel sources in the automotive sector. The article also highlights the existing colour-coded number plate system in India for various vehicle categories, emphasizing the government's effort to streamline vehicle identification and promote sustainable transportation.
Topics
Public Transit
Sustainability
Automotive Industry
Transportation
Future Projections
Green Mobility
Refuelling Infrastructure
Vehicle Identification
Multi-fuel Strategy
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