Kochi Leads the Way: First Hydrogen-Fuelled Bus Prototype Displayed at Global Summit
Key Ideas
- The first hydrogen-fuelled bus in Kerala, a collaborative effort between BPCL and CIAL, will soon be operational at the Cochin International Airport.
- The green hydrogen plant near the airport, costing around Rs 25 crore, will power the hydrogen bus and other vehicles within the airport, aligning with zero-carbon energy strategies.
- CIAL and BPCL are also planning a jet fuel manufacturing unit and a synthetic aviation fuel unit at the airport premises, contributing to decarbonizing the aviation sector.
- As part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, pilot projects for hydrogen-fuelled buses and trucks are being initiated, with plans to run vehicles on select routes in Kerala for trials in the next 18 to 24 months.
In Kochi, India, a leap towards sustainable transportation solutions was showcased at the Global Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Summit with the presentation of a hydrogen-fuelled bus prototype. The prototype, to be operated at the Cochin International Airport, is a joint venture between Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), known for being the world’s first fully solar-powered airport. The green hydrogen plant near the airport is nearing completion, with an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore, and will initially power vehicles within the airport, starting with the hydrogen bus. This initiative supports zero-carbon energy strategies and is a pioneer effort in establishing a green hydrogen plant and fuelling station in an airport setting, utilizing renewable energy sources for hydrogen production. Furthermore, plans are in place for a jet fuel manufacturing unit and a synthetic aviation fuel unit at the airport premises, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint in the aviation sector. The National Green Hydrogen Mission, led by the Union government, is implementing pilot projects for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and refuelling stations across the country, including selected routes in Kerala. These projects signify a significant step towards incorporating green hydrogen technology in transportation, with trials set to commence in the following years, potentially leading to the widespread adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source.
Topics
Aviation
Public Transit
Renewable Energy
Technology
Innovation
Sustainability
Transportation
Green Energy
Collaboration
Latest News