Kochi: In a significant move towards sustainable transportation, Kerala is gearing up to introduce its first hydrogen-fuelled bus, a result of the collaborative efforts between Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, reports The New Indian Express.
A prototype of the bus, powered by green hydrogen—often referred to as the ‘future fuel’—was showcased at the Global Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Summit held in Kochi on March 12 and 13. The state’s first green hydrogen plant and fuelling station, currently under construction near Nedumbassery airport, will support this initiative.
A BPCL official stated, “CIAL plans to deploy the bus as soon as the plant is commissioned. About 70% of the work is complete, and we expect the facility to be operational within a month or two.” The bus, equipped with hydrogen fuel cells developed by Pune-based KPIT Ltd, will either operate within the airport premises or provide short-distance airport connectivity. Authorities are set to begin the registration process soon.
The green hydrogen plant, being built at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore, will initially power vehicles within the airport, starting with the hydrogen bus. BPCL will oversee the establishment of the integrated plant and fuelling stations, providing the necessary technology and managing operations. This project marks the world’s first green hydrogen plant and fuelling station located near an airport.
Green hydrogen, produced from water using renewable energy, is a key component of zero-carbon energy strategies. CIAL, known for its effective use of green energy through large solar plants and a hydel station, currently has a cumulative installed capacity of 50 MW. The airport has been expanding its green energy capabilities since the installation of its first 12 MW solar plant and recently signed an MoU with BPCL for a 1,000 KW pilot project on its premises.
Additionally, plans are underway to establish a jet fuel-manufacturing unit at CIAL in partnership with BPCL. The BPCL official revealed that CIAL has submitted a proposal for a synthetic aviation fuel unit, which could play a significant role in decarbonising the aviation sector.
The Kerala government aims to achieve ‘net zero-carbon Kerala’ by 2050, with various initiatives underway across sectors, including agriculture and road transportation.
As part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Union government has launched five pilot projects involving hydrogen-fuelled buses, trucks, and refuelling stations. A total of 15 hydrogen fuel cell-based vehicles and 22 hydrogen internal combustion engine-based vehicles will be tested on 10 routes across the country. In Kerala, two routes—Thiruvananthapuram-Kochi and Kochi-Edappally—have been selected for trials. These projects are expected to be commissioned within the next 18 to 24 months, paving the way for the scaling up of hydrogen-based technologies in India.
For detailed information and further insights, please refer to BioEnergyTimes.com, which provides the latest news about the Green Hydrogen Industry
