- Hydrogen fuel emits only water vapor, making it environmentally friendly
- Hydrogen suits heavy-duty, long-range transport such as trucks, buses, and logistics fleets
- India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 million tonnes of annual production by 2030
Global crude oil markets are once again under pressure, and India - one of the world's largest crude importers, is feeling the ripple effects. The big news is the increase in petrol, diesel, and CNG prices by Rs 2, Rs 1, and Rs 2 per unit, in Delhi. Fluctuating oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty are expected to further retain the volatility in the prices. Resulantly, sales of electric vehicles have globally witnessed a surge, and another long-term alternative to crude is hydrogen. It is gaining attention among industry players and policy-makers. But can it be a realistic substitute to fossil fuels? This is the question of the hour.
What Is Hydrogen Fuel?
Hydrogen is not a new concept, but its renewed relevance lies in how it is produced and used. In mobility applications, hydrogen is typically used in fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), where hydrogen reacts with oxygen to generate electricity, emitting only water vapour as a byproduct. However, not all hydrogen is equal.
- Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy and is considered the cleanest option.
- Grey or blue hydrogen, derived from fossil fuels, carries a much higher carbon footprint.
- For hydrogen to genuinely support sustainability goals, green hydrogen must become both scalable and affordable.
Where Hydrogen Makes Most Sense?
Unlike battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen is not ideally suited for every mobility segment. Where it shows real promise is in heavy-duty and long-range applications. In areas, where batteries struggle due to weight, charging time, or range limitations.
This includes:
- Long-haul trucks
- Intercity buses
- Commercial fleets with high utilisation
- Industrial transport and logistics hubs
In these use cases, hydrogen's fast refuelling times and long driving ranges could offer practical advantages over large battery packs.
What India Is Already Doing On Hydrogen?
India has begun laying the groundwork for hydrogen adoption through the National Green Hydrogen Mission. It was launched in the year 2023, with an outlay of Rs 19.744 crore. India is aiming at 5 million metric tonne production annually by 2030. Also, port-based hubs are erected at Tuticorin, Paradip, and Kandla. These hubs produce and export hydrogen. In addition, JSW commissioned a 3,600 MTPA unit in late 2025. Furthermore, GAIL and NTPC initiated blending Hydrogen in the city gas grid.
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Big Challenges Hydrogen Still Faces
Despite its potential, hydrogen faces significant hurdles before it can become mainstream in mobility:
- High production costs, especially for green hydrogen
- Storage and transportation challenges, given hydrogen's low density
- Lack of refuelling infrastructure
- Energy losses across the value chain, making it less efficient than direct electrification
For passenger cars, these challenges make hydrogen far less viable than battery EVs in the near term.
Hydrogen Vs EVs: Not A Competition
One of the biggest misconceptions is framing hydrogen as a rival to electric vehicles. In reality, the two serve different purposes. EVs are best suited for personal mobility, urban driving, and short-to-medium distances. Hydrogen, on the other hand, could fill gaps where batteries become impractical.
The future of mobility is unlikely to be fuelled by a single solution. Instead, it will be multi-layered, with EVs, hydrogen, biofuels, and improved ICE efficiency all playing defined roles.
Is Hydrogen Really The Fuel Of The Future?
Hydrogen won't replace petrol, diesel, or electric vehicles overnight. But dismissing it would be short-sighted. In a world grappling with crude price shocks and energy security concerns, hydrogen offers strategic flexibility, especially for commercial and heavy transport.
For India, hydrogen's real value lies not in mass-market cars today, but in building resilience for tomorrow. If costs fall, infrastructure matures, and green hydrogen scales up, it could become an important pillar in India's clean mobility mix.