12 green hydrogen pilots: 70 hydrogen vehicles on 21 routes
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, 12 pilot projects have been awarded to run 70 hydrogen-powered vehicles, 27 buses and 43 trucks, on 21 routes, with 16 hydrogen refuelling stations, the MNRE told Lok Sabha on 29 July 2026. About ₹410.77 crore is allocated, of which ₹41.582 crore has been released.
- Released
- 29 Jul 2026, Lok Sabha reply, MNRE
- Projects
- 12 pilots in two phases
- Vehicles
- 70: 27 buses and 43 trucks
- Types
- fuel cell electric (FCEV) and hydrogen combustion engine (H2-ICE)
- Refuelling
- 16 hydrogen refuelling stations, 21 routes
- Money
- about ₹410.77 crore allocated; ₹41.582 crore released
Hydrogen vehicle pilots under the Green Hydrogen Mission: what happened?
Before any big rollout of hydrogen buses and trucks, the government wants real data on cost, safety and fuel use. These pilots are that test, with viability gap funding of 90% under the Mission. Their learnings will guide future policy.
- Phase I: five consortia, ₹207.91 crore, 10 buses and 27 trucks.
- Phase II: seven consortia, ₹202.86 crore, 17 buses and 16 trucks.
- Consortia include NTPC, Tata Motors with IOCL, RIL, HPCL with Volvo, BPCL partners and NHPC.
- Executing agencies must report vehicle efficiency, fuel use, safety and utilisation.
What is the National Green Hydrogen Mission?
- A mission to make India a global hub for producing, using and exporting green hydrogen and its derivatives.
Why does hydrogen vehicle pilots under the Green Hydrogen Mission matter?
- Energy transition: Tests hydrogen for heavy road transport.
- Policy: Pilot data will shape future rules and rollout.
What can Prelims ask on hydrogen vehicle pilots under the Green Hydrogen Mission?
- 12 pilots; 70 vehicles (27 buses, 43 trucks); 16 HRS; 21 routes.
- Two vehicle types: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles and Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine vehicles.
- Viability gap funding: 90%.
What should UPPCS aspirants note?
- UP routes include Greater Noida-Delhi-Agra (NTPC buses), Sahibabad-Faridabad-Delhi (Tata Motors and IOCL) and Bina-Jhansi-Bina.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-07-29): under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, 12 pilot projects will deploy 70 hydrogen-powered vehicles across 21 routes.
- Heavy vehicles are hard to electrify, so hydrogen is being tested for them.
Quotable data pointUnder the National Green Hydrogen Mission, 12 pilot projects will deploy 70 hydrogen-powered vehicles across 21 routes.
PIB: MNRE: green hydrogen vehicle pilots, 29 Jul 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: NGHM targets.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission transport pilots (2026), the number of hydrogen refuelling stations planned is
Answer (c) & explanation
MNRE, Lok Sabha reply, 29 Jul 2026.
Questions students ask about this
How many hydrogen vehicles will the pilots run?
70: 27 buses and 43 trucks, on 21 routes.
How much money is involved?
About ₹410.77 crore is allocated, and ₹41.582 crore had been released by July 2026.
Why run pilots?
To test the techno-economic viability of hydrogen mobility before wider deployment.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: MNRE: green hydrogen vehicle pilots, 29 Jul 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending