Powering EVs with Green Hydrogen: A Vision for Tomorrow

The National Green Hydrogen Mission marks a pivotal step in India's journey toward clean, green, and sustainable energy solutions. Under this mission, Centers of Excellence (CoEs) will be established to accelerate research and development in hydrogen technology, scale up green hydrogen production, and promote its commercial use. These centres will not only foster innovation in hydrogen fuel cell technology but also open new avenues for the electric vehicle (EV) industry. This article delves into the mission’s objectives, the benefits of CoEs, and the innovations expected from EV companies.

Objectives of the National Green Hydrogen Mission

The mission’s primary aim is to propel India toward clean and sustainable energy. It seeks to position green hydrogen as a major energy source in sectors like power generation and transportation. Hydrogen can serve as a fuel in various industries, significantly reducing carbon emissions. Specifically, the mission will focus on advancing the technologies for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs).

Dr. Yogesh Bhatia, MD & CEO of LML Emotion, stated that The National Green Hydrogen Mission is a transformative step toward a sustainable and self-reliant future for India's energy and mobility sectors. Establishing centers of excellence under this mission is expected to bring pioneering research, policy frameworks, and industry collaborations that will propel advancements in EV technology. For the electric vehicle business, this mission opens avenues for integrating green hydrogen as a viable energy source, allowing for innovations like hybrid fuel models and extended-range vehicles. EV companies are keenly looking forward to breakthroughs in fuel-cell technologies, cost-effective energy storage solutions, and efficient hydrogen refuelling infrastructures. This will not only help reduce dependency on imported lithium and other rare materials but also position India as a global leader in sustainable mobility solutions.

Importance of Centers of Excellence (CoEs)

The CoEs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission will serve as hubs for innovation and research, specifically in hydrogen fuel cell and battery technology. These centerS aim to develop technologies for hybrid vehicles, enhancing the range and performance of EVs. Moreover, establishing hydrogen-based charging stations will reduce charging times and provide sustainable solutions.

Vikrant Singh, Co-Founder & CTO of BatX Energies, highlighted that the mission addresses challenges such as hydrogen production, cost reduction, infrastructure development, and R&D. By utilising renewable resources like solar and wind energy for green hydrogen production, the mission will enhance energy security and reinforce India's green goals.

The CoEs will foster innovations such as improved hydrogen fuel cell technology, offering long-range and quick refuelling capabilities. Additionally, hydrogen can extend battery life and reduce costs. Combining batteries and hydrogen fuel cells will promote hybrid energy solutions, improving EV range and charging efficiency.

Samarth Kholkar, CEO & Co-Founder of BLive, said The National Green Hydrogen Mission is a pivotal move towards achieving India’s carbon neutrality goals and expanding clean energy adoption across industries. As a company committed to sustainable mobility, we at BLive see immense potential in the Mission’s proposed Centers of Excellence. These centers will serve as hubs for pioneering research in green hydrogen technologies, facilitating innovations that directly benefit the EV ecosystem. For example, advancements in hydrogen fuel cell integration can extend the operational range of electric vehicles, particularly in sectors like last-mile delivery, which demand reliable, long-range options.

Moreover, the Centers of Excellence can lead to breakthroughs in hydrogen-based charging infrastructure, which could reduce dependency on grid power and provide a greener, more resilient charging alternative for EV fleets. We are eager to collaborate with these centers to explore hybrid solutions that combine hydrogen with battery-electric technology, as this would greatly enhance our fleet’s efficiency and lower total emissions. Such innovations could redefine the landscape for EV fleet operators, giving them a cost-effective, environmentally responsible way to scale operations. The National Green Hydrogen Mission marks a new chapter in India’s clean energy journey, and we’re excited to be part of this transformative mission.

Varun Borkar, Engagement Lead, Growth Advisory, Aranca, said, The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to accelerate the development and adoption of green hydrogen technologies, positioning India as a global leader in clean energy. The establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under this mission could play a critical role in driving advancements in hydrogen fuel cells and related technologies. These hubs will facilitate industry-academia collaboration, which could enable the development of high-performance and cost-effective hydrogen solutions. CoEs can also improve fuel cell efficiency, reducing production costs, and ensuring fast refuelling and long-range capabilities, addressing key limitations of electric mobility in heavy-duty segments.

For electric vehicle (EV) companies, innovations from these CoEs could lead to significant breakthroughs in fuel cell technology, hybrid systems, and energy storage solutions. These advancements would make hydrogen-powered vehicles a competitive alternative to battery-electric solutions, particularly in segments with high energy demands and rapid refuelling requirements such as heavy-duty vehicles, long-haul freight, and public transport. This would not only expand the EV market but also accelerate the shift toward a carbon-neutral transportation ecosystem.”

Gunjan Malhotra, Director of Komaki Electric Division, said The move under the government to establish Centers of Excellence for the National Green Hydrogen Mission is a significant step towards a sustainable future. Where the world is steadily making the transition to green mobility with electric vehicles, the mission comes with immense potential to give the desired boost to the EV industry. Moreover, the Centers of Excellence are likely to promote cooperative research in the direction of adding to the resilience of battery technology in the EVs. The centers serving the purpose of innovation hotspots will immensely contribute to the upgradation and advancement of battery technology. Contributing to amplifying the efficiency of the batteries, it will facilitate sustainable growth of EV infrastructure as lithium-ion batteries are at the heart of powering the EVs.

Vouching for innovation and research, the Centers of Excellence are expected to promote development along the lines of hydrogen-based technology. Providing a multitude of resources and insights for lithium-ion technology businesses, the centers can aid in fostering investigative prospective collaborations between hydrogen research and battery technology. This in turn can contribute to increased battery longevity, efficiency, and affordability. Integrating hydrogen fuel cell technology as part of the mission, EV players like us can benefit from it as it will work towards tackling issues facing the EV sector, including environmental effects, charging infrastructure, and range anxiety. The centers will be at the forefront of developing hybrid energy solutions that improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries, enabling longer driving ranges and quicker charging times.

Green Hydrogen’s Future

Green hydrogen is poised to serve as an alternative energy source for EVs while bolstering India's energy independence. Produced using renewable resources like solar and wind energy, green hydrogen presents a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution. India aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, addressing domestic energy needs and positioning India as a global leader in the energy market.

Deepak Pahwa, Chairman of Pahwa Group and Managing Director of Bry-Air, stated that CoEs established under the mission have immense potential to strengthen India's EV ecosystem by fostering collaborative R&D in hydrogen and battery technology. Green hydrogen offers a sustainable solution to decarbonise battery manufacturing, reducing carbon footprints.

The mission supports the coexistence of BEVs and FCEVs, propelling efforts toward a greener future. With a goal of 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production by 2030, the mission represents a significant step toward clean energy adoption and carbon neutrality.

Conclusion

The National Green Hydrogen Mission and its CoEs promise substantial benefits for the EV industry. Integrating hydrogen technology with battery advancements will improve EV performance and significantly reduce emissions. EV companies stand to gain long-term benefits from these innovations, steering India toward a cleaner and greener energy future.