First HFC Bus Indigenously Developed in India

Recently, India's first hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) bus was introduced by the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology.

A pilot facility for the synthesis of bisphenol-A, a crucial feedstock for the production of epoxy resins, polycarbonate, and other technical plastics, was also opened at the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL).

Key Highlights of this Innovation

• The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and KPIT, an Indian multinational corporation, developed the HFC bus.
• The National Hydrogen Energy Mission is in line with the release of this first HFC bus that was actually produced in India.
• The bus is powered by a fuel cell that uses hydrogen and air to produce energy, and the only waste product is water. Consequently, it can be the most eco-friendly kind of transportation.
• Fuel cell cars' great efficiency guarantees lower operating costs per kilometre than diesel-powered vehicles and could revolutionize freight in India.

Innovation Significant

• This development is a component of the Prime Minister's Hydrogen Vision, which will provide self-sufficient renewable energy sources that are affordable and accessible, achieve climate change targets, and generate new businesses and jobs.
• Green hydrogen is a superb source of clean energy that, among other things, makes it possible to significantly reduce emissions from the heavy commercial transportation sector.
• There are nearly a million diesel buses operating on long-distance routes in India, and each one emits an average of 100 tonnes of CO2 every year.
• Heavy commercial vehicles powered by diesel emit between 12 and 14 per cent of CO2 and particulate pollutants (which are decentralized emissions and hence difficult to capture).
• Vehicles powered by fuel cells emit no greenhouse gases. Additionally, they operate at a cheaper cost per mile than diesel-powered vehicles.
• India may change from being a net importer of fossil fuel energy to a net exporter of clean hydrogen energy through the use of such innovations.
• Becoming a significant producer of green hydrogen and a provider of green hydrogen equipment, it will give India a leading position globally in the hydrogen industry.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells (HFC)

• In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen is electrochemically transformed into electrical energy.
• While fuel cells function similarly to the typical batteries used in electric vehicles, they don't run out of power and don't require an electrical source to refresh them.
• As long as there is hydrogen available, they can keep making electricity.
• One of the most effective fuel cells makes use of the water-forming interaction between hydrogen and oxygen.
• HFC-powered vehicles have the benefit of emitting only water vapour and warm air from their tailpipes rather than any gaseous or particle pollutants.
• Compared to cars with internal combustion engines, they are more efficient.
• Hydrogen When it comes to refuelling, FCEVs have an edge over battery-powered EVs since they can fill up with hydrogen almost as quickly as internal combustion engines can with fossil fuels.

National Hydrogen Energy Mission

• A National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM) was established to create a roadmap for the use of hydrogen as an energy source in the Union Budget for 2021–22.
• In order to provide a cleaner alternative fuel choice, it will take advantage of hydrogen, one of the most abundant elements on earth.
• The project has the potential to change how we travel.
• It will concentrate on producing hydrogen using renewable energy sources.
• Connect the hydrogen economy with India's expanding renewable capacity.
• In addition to assisting India in meeting its emissions targets under the Paris Agreement, the use of hydrogen will lessen its reliance on imported fossil fuels.

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