India to Roll Out Green Hydrogen Trucks on 10 Highway Corridors Nitin Gadkari Breakthrough

India’s Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has identified 10 highway stretches across the country for the deployment of green hydrogen-powered trucks, as part of a strategy to reduce vehicular emissions and decarbonise the road transport sector. India has been steadily moving towards sustainable mobility, and the recent announcement by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on the rollout of green hydrogen trucks across 10 highway corridors marks a defining moment in the nation’s clean energy transition. As one of the fastest-growing economies, India faces the twin challenges of rising fuel demand and escalating pollution levels.

To address these, the government is integrating green hydrogen fuel cell technology into the transport sector, particularly in freight and logistics, which account for a major share of fuel consumption and carbon emissions. This initiative is closely aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which envisions making India a global hub for hydrogen production, utilization, and export Green hydrogen trucks are powered by hydrogen fuel cells that generate electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen, producing only water vapor as a by-product. Unlike conventional diesel trucks, which release harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases, these vehicles are zero-emission alternatives.

Their efficiency and quick refuelling capacity give them an edge over battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles, especially for long-haul freight. With the government’s focus on reducing logistics costs and ensuring environmental sustainability, green hydrogen trucks represent the future of clean mobility in India. You can learn more about the science of hydrogen fuel technology from the (Energy Agency’s).

The Significance of the 10 Highway Corridors

The rollout will take place on 10 strategically chosen highway corridors that handle a significant portion of freight movement in India. These include routes connecting industrial hubs, economic zones, and ports such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Bengaluru-Chennai Highway, and Eastern Freight Corridors. These corridors are among the busiest in the country, making them ideal for introducing hydrogen-powered freight trucks. By establishing hydrogen refuelling stations along these stretches, the government ensures reliability for transporters while creating a scalable ecosystem for green mobility. For context on similar projects, check our detailed post on.

Transportation is one of the largest contributors to air pollution and carbon emissions in India, particularly in urban areas. Diesel trucks, while efficient, produce toxic pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter that worsen air quality. With hydrogen trucks, tailpipe emissions are reduced to zero, resulting in cleaner cities and healthier living conditions. Moreover, this move supports India’s long-term commitment to the Paris Agreement and the target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. According to the hydrogen will play a critical role in decarbonizing not only transport but also energy-intensive industries such as steel and cement.

Boosting India’s Hydrogen Infrastructure

The rollout of hydrogen trucks cannot succeed without the parallel development of a hydrogen infrastructure network. This includes setting up production facilities, storage systems, and refuelling stations. Public sector undertakings such as NTPC and IOCL, along with private companies, are actively investing in green hydrogen plants powered by renewable energy. Several pilot projects are already underway to test hydrogen buses and cars, which will provide valuable insights for scaling up hydrogen trucks. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has also assured that dedicated hydrogen refuelling stations will be installed along these 10 corridors to enable smooth adoption.

For a global perspective on hydrogen refuelling, you can refer The deployment of hydrogen trucks will have a significant economic impact, particularly in logistics and manufacturing. India currently imports a large share of its crude oil, which adds to the national expenditure. By shifting freight movement towards hydrogen, the country can reduce oil imports, strengthen energy security, and promote Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). Additionally, this initiative will boost local manufacturing of fuel cells, hydrogen tanks, and truck components, generating employment opportunities across engineering, research, and energy sectors. Companies like Ashok Leyland,.

Tata Motors, and Reliance Industries have already expressed interest in hydrogen vehicle development, signaling strong industry support. To explore related developments, check our coverage on Nitin Gadkari has been a strong advocate of green mobility, consistently pushing for the adoption of alternative fuels like ethanol, methanol, bio-CNG, and hydrogen. The government has already introduced policy incentives under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which include subsidies for hydrogen production, pilot projects, and mandates for industries to adopt hydrogen fuel. Oil marketing companies are being directed to set up hydrogen production.

Challenges in Adoption

Units and refuelling infrastructure, while transport policies are being reformed to accommodate the new technology. In addition, financial support for R&D in hydrogen fuel cell technology will ensure that India develops its own indigenous solutions rather than relying solely on imports While the potential of hydrogen trucks is immense, several challenges need to be addressed. The cost of producing green hydrogen remains high compared to fossil fuels, primarily due to the expense of electrolysis and renewable energy integration. Storage and transportation of hydrogen also require specialized infrastructure, which is still in its infancy in India. Additionally,

large-scale adoption will depend on cost parity with diesel trucks, which may take a few years to achieve. Despite these hurdles, falling solar and wind energy costs are expected to bring down hydrogen prices in the near future, making it more competitive. For more insights into hydrogen’s economic feasibility, check The rollout of hydrogen trucks is not just a transportation initiative but part of a larger hydrogen economy vision. India aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, positioning itself as a leading exporter to Europe, Japan, and South Korea. By integrating hydrogen into multiple sectors from transport to power generation the country is building a foundation for a sustainable economy. On highways.

Hydrogen trucks will serve as the backbone of freight transport, reducing costs while ensuring environmental safety. This project could also inspire neighbouring countries to adopt similar strategies, making South Asia a hub for green mobility. You can also explore our detailed analysis for broader context The introduction of green hydrogen trucks across 10 highway corridors marks a revolutionary step in India’s sustainable mobility journey. With strong government support, industry participation, and growing infrastructure, hydrogen trucks are poised to transform logistics and freight transport. While challenges such as cost and infrastructure development remain, the long-term benefits far outweigh the obstacles.

India is not only preparing for a cleaner transport system but also laying the foundation for a green hydrogen economy that could redefine its role in global energy markets. This initiative is more than just a transport project it is a statement of intent, a vision for a future where highways For a comparative study, (Germany’s Hydrogen)are not just roads but pathways to sustainability.