Govt Approves Tata's Hydrogen-Based Fuel Cell Buses For Road Worthiness Trials: Report

Tata Motors has received approval from the road transport and highways ministry for road worthiness trials of the company's two hydrogen-powered buses.

The hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell buses are being manufactured by Tata Motors under a special contract for Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), reports Economic Times.

Earlier in June last year, Tata Motors had bagged an order of 15 hydrogen-based fuel cell buses from the IOCL.

Besides, IOCL had also signed an MoU with Tata Motors for two buses for demonstration purposes.

"We have received an approval from the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) for conducting vehicle trials for these two buses," Tata Motors was quoted as saying by ET in an email response.

The company added that the IOCL is in process of seeking other required clearances and the trials will commence once approval processes are complete.

IOCL had invited bids for supply of PEM fuel cell buses in December 2020. This is an internal project of IOCL partly funded by the ministry of petroleum and natural gas.

Further, Tata Motors said that the development of the buses is on schedule.

"Testing of second-phase prototypes is expected to begin over the next few months," the company said, adding that the buses will be delivered in a staggered manner.