India has launched its first-ever hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses in Ladakh, marking a major milestone in the nation’s transition to clean energy. Five hydrogen buses were officially flagged off in Leh, where they will now operate under the authority of the State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO), supported by NTPC Limited.

This pilot initiative, a collaboration between NTPC and the Ladakh administration, is designed to support the region's carbon-neutral ambitions. By operating on zero-emission hydrogen fuel, the project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 350 metric tonnes per year. Additionally, the buses will contribute around 230 metric tonnes of pure oxygen annually—comparable to the environmental benefit of planting nearly 13,000 trees.

The buses are powered by NTPC’s high-altitude hydrogen fuelling station, inaugurated in November 2024. The facility is paired with a 1.7 MW solar power plant and runs entirely on renewable energy, ensuring a sustainable fuel supply for the new fleet.

The hydrogen bus launch in Ladakh aligns with NTPC’s broader goal of reaching 60 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2032. Currently, 9.6 GW of green energy projects are under construction, highlighting the company’s commitment to clean energy technologies, including green hydrogen mobility.

Government Officials Welcome Clean Mobility

Chief Secretary of Ladakh Pawan Kotwal praised NTPC for its efforts, noting that the successful deployment of hydrogen buses in the challenging terrain of Leh could "usher in a new era of hydrogen fuel cell mobility in India." Bhupesh Chaudhary, Administrative Secretary of the Transport Department, also commended the technical achievement and its potential role in transforming high-altitude transport systems.

This initiative marks the first commercial operation of hydrogen buses in India and is seen as a model for sustainable public transportation, particularly in environmentally sensitive and remote regions.

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