India starts first-ever trial run of H-CNG buses in Delhi

New Delhi: Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Indian Oil's compact reformer plant and launched the much-awaited pilot trial run of Delhi's buses on Hydrogen-blended CNG (H-CNG) at the Rajghat Bus Depot-I of DTC. This is the first-ever H-CNG pilot project initiated in India. In India's quest to promote Hydrogen as a clean fuel for the mobility sector, Hydrogen-blended CNG is emerging as an excellent interim technology for achieving emission reduction and import substitution. Refuelling of H-CNG blends in vehicles can be performed with minimum modifications in the infrastructure that is currently under use for dispensing CNG. Kailash Gahlot, Minister of Transport, Government of Delhi, was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said that providing clean and reliable energy supplies to 130 crore plus Indians is the topmost priority of the government. He said that India will emerge as a winner in developing solutions that the world would admire for decades to come. The minister mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to ushering in a clean energy future that has minimal impact on the environment.

Complementing the initiatives of Indian Oil, the Minister said, "I am happy to note that the scientists of Indian Oil R&D have risen to the occasion and have developed an innovative compact reforming technology for production of Hydrogen-mixed CNG." Elaborating on the importance of Hydrogen in facilitating India's energy transformation, Pradhan mentioned, "Hydrogen is the ultimate fuel, which, while giving energy, produces clean water in the emissions. Apart from this, it has many other virtues as the capacity to get the rural sector involved with the energy sector through biomass." The minister said that this pilot project will be unique. It will help the county and the world as a whole.

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Gahlot appreciated Indian Oil's efforts to develop such a path-breaking technology not only for the first time in India but in the entire world. He said that this project has been executed in a cohesive environment involving Indian Oil, IGL, DIMTIS, DTC and Delhi Transport Department. He assured the Delhi government's full cooperation for the successful completion of the trial so that this fuel can be commercially adopted soon on pan Delhi and India basis. Gahlot complimented the teamwork of all stakeholders. He spoke about its usage not only for DTC buses but also for private buses, once its trial is over.

Petroleum Secretary Tarun Kapoor said that H-CNG is the fuel of the future. He said that H-CNG is produced in many ways all over the world but its commercial viability is the main challenge. Kapoor mentioned that the production of H-CNG in India would be cheaper and this will reduce the burden of gas imports.

While speaking on occasion, Indian Oil's Chairman SM Vaidya said that the latest technological development would augur well with the nation's vision and commitment to transit towards the hydrogen economy. Talking about Indian Oil's pioneering work in hydrogen research, Vaidya said, "Indian Oil took early steps in promoting Hydrogen initiatives. We also launched a research program on H-CNG alongside the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and MNRE. Indian Oil has set-up two Hydrogen and H-CNG dispensing stations: one at our R&D campus in Faridabad and another at our retail station at Dwarka, Delhi". He expressed hope that more partnerships will be formed.

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An audio-video film was also shown on the occasion. The message of Bhure Lal, Chairman Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority for the National Capital Region (NCR) was also played on the occasion.

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