On October 23, Tata Motors revealed two research and development centres that are both cutting-edge and modern to fulfil its aim of providing environmentally responsible transportation options. The reveals are both an engine test cell for developing a hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE) and the necessary infrastructure for storing and dispensing hydrogen fuel for fuel and H2ICE vehicles.
These facilities represent yet another milestone in the company’s progress towards reaching carbon neutrality while capitalising on the enormous potential of hydrogen as a source of clean energy.
Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors, said that the company views hydrogen as the future fuel, particularly for commercial vehicles. The company is stepping into a new era of technological innovation and improvements in environmentally responsible transportation by establishing its specialised research and development facility to develop and indigenise hydrogen propulsion technology. It will lead to the developing of an entirely new category of powertrains and engines.
This is a key moment for the company, as it establishes a hydrogen-based internal combustion engine development facility and the related infrastructure for fuel storage and dispensing at the company’s Engineering Research Centre, according to Rajendra Petkar, the company’s President and Chief Technology Officer.
At the beginning of this year, Tata Motors displayed one of the most extensive ranges of commercial vehicle designs at the Auto Expo 2023 in Shanghai. This was a step towards the company’s goal of reaching net zero emissions. It contained the Prima tractor, a heavy commercial vehicle, in two incarnations: one with a hydrogen internal combustion engine and another with fuel cell technology. Additionally, it included the next generation of hydrogen fuel cell buses. As the industry leader in the development of zero-emission technologies, Tata Motors, on September 25, 2023, delivered to the Indian Oil Corporation two of the first-of-its-kind, technologically advanced, safer, new-generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell powered buses as part of a tender that was won in 2021. These buses were powered by hydrogen.
The research and development facilities of Tata Motors have consistently developed and engineered innovative mobility solutions powered by alternative fuel technologies such as battery-electric, CNG, LNG, hybrid, hydrogen ICE, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies.
