Oil India Limited completes beta demonstration of hydrogen-powered bus

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: Oil India Limited (OIL), India's second largest National Exploration & Production Company, completed beta demonstration of the hydrogen powered bus developed by Ohm Cleantech Private Limited under 'Startup Nurturing, Enabling and Handholding (SNEH)' programme of OIL in Pune, Maharashtra on June 25, an OIL's Press Communique disclosed. The 9-metre Bus built on a 60kW PEM Fuel Cell engine will power the electric drive and provide a minimum range of 450 km while emitting water in the exhaust.

The demonstration adds another feather to the Green Hydrogen hat of OIL as the company has already commissioned a 99.999% pure Green Hydrogen plant in Jorhat, Assam in April 2022. The efforts are in the direction of pursuing Zero Emission and Green Hydrogen targets set forth by Prime Minister of India, and towards sustained production and deployment of the Net-Zero roadmap that will help the North-Eastern states of India attain energy independence.

On the occasion, SC Mishra, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), OIL said that this is a major step towards zero-emission mobility within OIL and also in Northeast India. With technology partners like Ohm Cleantech and h2e Power who can set up manufacturing plants for Electrolysis and Fuel Cells in the North East, OIL will play an important role in fulfilling India's energy targets. "We intend to deploy this bus for Green Kaziranga Tourism by the end of this year to welcome tourists to this zero-emission travel experience," Mishra said. He further added that the Green Hydrogen required for the bus will come from OIL's Green Hydrogen plant in Jorhat.

Speaking at the event, Bhavana Mayur, Director Ohm Cleantech said, "We are humbled at the trust shown by OIL on us. What we have achieved today, in a record time, is a testimony of the strength in India's startup ecosystem. Along with our partners h2e Power, Nuvera & EKA mobility we are confident of making Hydrogen mobility a reality." Sudhir Mehta, Chairman of EKA Mobility added, "We are proud to be associated with this project as it echoes the vision of EKA to contribute to the reduction of emissions and provide a great driving experience to the passengers and the driver. We are focused on revolutionizing the public transport system in India and abroad."

NUVERA of USA, h2e Power Systems Pune are the key partners to OHM along with EKA Mobility in developing the FC Bus and NUVERA's product Manager Kedar Murthy, speaking from Boston USA confirmed NUVERA's commitment to the Indian market.

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