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Global Trends

Heavy-duty transport use-case - through hydrogen Fuel Cell-powered trains, long-haul trucks, and shipping – are being seen complementarily with lighter-weight Electric Vehicles for a cleaner, more sustainable future of mobility. Global green hydrogen investments continue to prioritize mobility, with approximately USD 8 billion invested in 2024–2025, nearly doubling from previous years. Heavy-duty transport—including fuel cell-powered trains, long-haul trucks, and maritime shipping—remains a key focus, followed by the power sector with around USD 2 billion in investments.

E-fuels and derivatives are gaining traction in the trucking sector, particularly for long-haul journeys where battery electric vehicles (BEVs) face range limitations. The maritime sector has seen a significant leap, with over 400 alternative fuel ships ordered globally in 2024, up from 275 in 2022. Green methanol, blends of biofuels with HFO are emerging as promising long-term solutions. Both can be produced using renewable energy and used in existing engines with minor modifications. Pilot projects are underway in Germany and Sweden, utilizing hydrogen fuel cells in locomotives for non-electrified routes.

Indian Railways has accelerated its green transport initiatives since 2023, now planning to deploy 50 hydrogen-powered trains by 2026, including retrofitting existing diesel locomotives with hydrogen fuel cells. In 2023, 600 million liters of SAF were produced, making up 3% of total renewable fuel capacity. In the US, the Department of Energy (DoE) announced a USD 100 Mn plan to phase out diesel for long-haul transportation and replace them with hydrogen-powered fuel-cells. While it is still early days, formation of trucking industry consortia like H2Haul and H2Accelerate in Europe, are creating new collaboration between industry leaders. These trends highlight that wile transition to e-fuels and derivatives in transportation is inevitable, albeit at varying paces across different sectors.

Publications

Greening the Steel Sector in India

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INDIA H2 DERIVATIVES & LOW-CARBON FUELS MARKET ASSESSMENT 2025-30

This industry white paper has been prepared in anticipation of the significant green hydrogen and derivatives’ project development and production, which is expected to fuel low-carbon green fuels for heavy-duty transport , specifically in long-haul trucking, shipping and aviation. This is a preliminary view, based on some assumptions on fleet offtake and industry inputs gathered by India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A). It does not consider eFuels or green hydrogen derivatives exports as transport fuel. In summary, potential Domestic Transport eFuels Market Assessment 2030 by volume, may be estimated as follows, with the accompanying assumptions about offtake fleets and scale:1) Green Methanol (Shipping & Trucking) – 194 mn ltrs (22 3000-TEU Vessels, 30 10-tonne Trucks)2) Green Ammonia (Shipping & Trucking) – 263 mn ltrs (22 3000-TEU Vessels, 30 10-tonne Trucks)3) LH2 + CGH2 Hydrogen (Trucking) – 19500 kgs (without LH2 storage)- 30 FC Trucks4) Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – 15-45 mn ltrs. based on 1-3% blending on 74 flights (intl, dom)   To read more, click on the link below: IH2A India Green Hydrogen Equipment and Services Market Opportunity 2030 - White Paper - Oct 2023

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Economic Feasibility of Green Ammonia Use in India’s Fertiliser Sector

  This report presents an estimation of the financial requirements for India’s fertiliser sector to transition to green ammonia adoption across multiple scenarios, with the goal of identifying low-hanging opportunities, understanding imperatives, and preparing a trajectory for adoption. The report outlines the current landscape of the Indian fertiliser industry and the role of green hydrogen in its decarbonisation. The report examines the sector’s ammonia requirements, India’s reliance on imports of natural gas and ammonia for fertiliser production, the cost structure of conventional (grey) ammonia, and how natural gas pricing influences this. It then explores the financial implications of blending green ammonia into both urea and non-urea fertiliser production, including the associated challenges, incremental costs, and potential impacts on government subsidies. Additionally, it assesses the emissions mitigation potential of green ammonia and concludes with policy recommendations to support green ammonia adoption in India’s fertiliser industry.   READ HERE

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The Role of E-fuels in Decarbonising Transport

Rapid deployment of low-emission fuels during this decade will be crucial toaccelerate the decarbonisation of the transport sector. Significant electrificationopportunities are available for the road transport sector, while the aviation andmarine sectors continue to be more reliant on fuel-based solutions for theirdecarbonisation. READ HERE

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National 25/25 Green Hydrogen Development Plan

India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A) has proposed a 25/25 National Green Hydrogen Hub Development Plan for creation of 25 National Green Hydrogen Projects and Five National H2 Hubs by 2025. The plan seeks to develop first-generation green hydrogen projects, with public finance support of USD 360 million over next three years; create a National Hydrogen Development Corporation and public-private hydrogen taskforce.   READ HERE

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IH2A Position

IH2A recognizes the potential to use Green H2 to produce Low-Carbon and Zero-Carbon eFuels that will drive decarbonization of heavy-duty transport. The attractiveness of H2 derivatives such as low-carbon ammonia and eFuels (bio-ammonia, bio-methane) are currently being evaluated by multiple offtake entities. The lack of a comprehensive mapping of eFuels, dis-aggregated demand and lack of long-term offtake contracts are hurdles towards commercialisation. IH2A is working with all stakeholders, public and private, across the value chain to develop this eFuels India outlook within the next 12 months. The transport use-case for Green H2 and its Derivatives is the most expensive use-case, given its need of significant capex requirements for engine technology, refuelling infrastructure, and price sensitivity. IH2A will work on exploring hydrogen and other e-fuels commercialisation in trucks, buses, trains, shipping and aviation. Transport is a rapidly maturing use case with several active global players and projects.

Fuel Cells technologies for Stationary Use (Power) and Mobile Use (Transport) will become important as Green H2 project mature, achieve FID decision and advance towards commissioning. IH2A's view is that heavy-duty transport fleets will follow a two-step process in embracing hydrogen transition (this applies for H2 derivatives as well), starting with an interim step of greater HICE engines, dual-use fuel engines for ammonia, and methanol engines in shipping; followed by transition towards FCEVs and a higher grade of H2 being available for transport use-case.

IH2A will work closely with global players and regulators to ensure that Indian players and the government have ready access to the latest developments and are able to collaborate smoothly.

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