Tata Motors announced on Wednesday that it has bagged an order for 15 hydrogen-based fuel cell buses from the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). It further added that the auto major will have 144 weeks from the date of signing of the MoU to deliver the buses.
In December 2020, Tata Motors noticed that IOCL had invited bids for supply of the hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell buses.
Tata Motors said in a statement that In addition to this, the automaker will also collaborate with IOCL’s Research and Development Centre to undertake projects and collectively study further the potential of fuel cell technology for commercial vehicles. The World over, Hydrogen-based fuel cell vehicles are being developed and are seen as a viable option for clean and emission-free mobility.
A press statement issued by the company informed, “This will be done by jointly testing, maintaining and operating these buses for public transport in real-world conditions in Delhi-NCR. The buses will be refueled by hydrogen, generated and dispensed by IOCL.”
Girish Wagh, President, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors said, “We have successfully supplied 215 EV buses under FAME I and won orders for 600 EV buses under FAME II. This order to supply PEM Fuel Cell buses from a company as respected as Indian Oil Corporation, further encourages our ongoing efforts on developing India-focused alternative sustainable fuels to transform the future of mobility in India.”
On the other hand, IOCL Chairman SM Vaidya stated, “The oil major has been pioneering the national efforts towards ushering in the hydrogen economy for various applications, including mobility. This first of its kind project in the country is bringing the country’s largest fuel supplier and largest commercial vehicle manufacturer on board to take the hydrogen and fuel cell technology to the next level.”