Heavy-duty Transport Use Case: Railways, Trucking & Shipping

Hydrogen use in heavy-duty transport, to replace diesel and drive de-carbonisation, is a key stated objective of IH2A. We will work with exploring hydrogen commercialisation in trucking, trains, and shipping, in tandem with the electrification drive so that the appropriate technology choices are chosen for the appropriate vehicle options (electric for smaller, short-haul vehicles and hydrogen for long-haul, freight). This is a rapidly maturing use case with several active global players and projects. IH2A will work closely with global players and regulators to ensure that Indian players and the government have ready access to the latest global developments on the heavy-duty transport use cases, and able to collaborate smoothly on India projects.

IH2A’s view is that heavy-duty transport will be an early adopter of hydrogen as part of the switch from diesel fuels and high cost of hydrogen refueling infrastructure and mobile fuel-cell systems.

IH2A recommends creation of a Bharat H2 Heavy-Duty Transport Group, bringing together the ministries of railways, road and highways and shipping with industry transport leaders, to build common standards for FCEVs for freight and hydrogen refueling infrastructure along identified dedicated freight corridors, as national demonstration-stage projects (like the H2Haul initiative in Europe). This group would focus on railways, road transport (trucking, buses, fork-lifts) and shipping sectors, working in tandem with electrification and battery tech adoption in these transport categories (electric for smaller, short-haul vehicles and hydrogen for long-haul, freight).