DMRC rolls out hydrogen buses in Central Vista

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), launched a hydrogen fuel cell-powered shuttle bus service in t...

What Happened

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), launched a hydrogen fuel cell-powered shuttle bus service in the Central Vista precinct of New Delhi on May 15, 2026.
Two FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) buses — each with a seating capacity of 35 passengers — were deployed to provide last-mile connectivity between Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth metro stations, serving key government buildings including Kartavya Bhawan, Vigyan Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, and Baroda House.
The service operates in two daily windows (8:30 am–12:30 pm and 3:30 pm–6:30 pm) at 30-minute frequency, with fares of ₹10 and ₹15 under a stage-wise system; payment accepted via NCMC card, UPI, or cash.
The initiative is part of a broader national pilot under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which sanctioned five pilot projects to test green hydrogen buses across 10 routes in India; trials are also underway in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Static Topic Bridges

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology (FCEV)

A hydrogen fuel cell generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen — the reverse of electrolysis. In Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells used in buses, hydrogen is fed to the anode, where a platinum catalyst splits it into protons and electrons. The protons pass through a polymer membrane to the cathode; electrons travel through an external circuit, producing direct current. At the cathode, protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water — the only emission. Unlike battery-electric vehicles, FCEVs can be refuelled in minutes and offer longer ranges.

The only exhaust from a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is water vapour — zero carbon dioxide, NOx, or particulate matter at the point of use.
PEM fuel cells operate at relatively low temperatures (60–80°C), making them suitable for vehicular applications.
IOCL has been the primary agency for setting up hydrogen dispensing infrastructure in Indian pilots, sourcing hydrogen initially from natural gas reforming with CCS or electrolysis.
CSIR and KPIT developed India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell vehicle prototype in 2020, achieving ~250 km range per kg of hydrogen.

Connection to this news: The DMRC deployment is the first FCEV public transit service in the national capital, directly demonstrating the viability of the technology for urban mass transit under the NGHM pilot framework.

National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)

Approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 January 2023, NGHM is India's overarching policy to position the country as a global hub for green hydrogen production, utilisation, and export. It is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The mission's Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme provides financial incentives for domestic electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production.

Production target: at least 5 MMT (million metric tonnes) per annum of green hydrogen by 2030, scalable to 10 MMT with export markets.
Associated renewable energy addition target: ~125 GW by 2030.
Outlay: ₹19,744 crore (approx. US$2.37 billion) as initial central investment.
Cost reduction goal: bring green hydrogen production cost to $1.5/kg by 2030 (from ~$4–5/kg currently).
Green hydrogen is produced using renewable electricity to electrolyse water — distinguishing it from grey hydrogen (from natural gas) and blue hydrogen (natural gas + CCS).

Connection to this news: The Central Vista hydrogen bus service is one of five NGHM-sanctioned pilots testing green hydrogen in public transport; it validates both the fuel cell technology and the nascent hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in an urban corridor context.

Urban Mobility and Clean Air Policy

India's cities face severe air quality challenges from vehicular emissions. Decarbonising public transport is a key pillar of both the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) has already pushed electric bus adoption; hydrogen buses represent the next frontier for heavy-duty public transit decarbonisation.

Delhi's transport sector contributes significantly to its annual PM2.5 crisis; public bus electrification/hydrogenation reduces both local pollution and GHG emissions.
DMRC already operates one of Asia's largest metro networks powered substantially by renewable energy; hydrogen buses extend its green mandate to last-mile services.
National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) integration in this service aligns with the broader interoperable urban transit payment ecosystem mandated under the National Urban Transport Policy.

Connection to this news: The shuttle service demonstrates that hydrogen transit can be commercially viable even at small scale, serving as a proof-of-concept for wider deployment in urban corridors where BEV (battery electric) range or charging time is a constraint.

Key Facts & Data

Buses deployed: 2 hydrogen fuel cell buses; 35-seat capacity each; supplied by IOCL
Route: Central Secretariat ↔ Seva Teerth metro station, covering major government complexes and tourist landmarks including India Gate and NGMA
Fares: ₹10 and ₹15 (stage-based); NCMC/UPI/cash accepted
Operating hours: 8:30 am–12:30 pm and 3:30 pm–6:30 pm; 30-minute frequency
NGHM pilot scope: 5 pilot projects, 10 routes across India; Gujarat and Maharashtra also conducting trials
NGHM targets (2030): 5 MMT green hydrogen/year, 125 GW renewable capacity addition, ₹19,744 crore central outlay
PEM fuel cell output: Water vapour only — zero tailpipe carbon emissions
India's first indigenous FCEV: Developed by CSIR-KPIT, demonstrated in 2020, range ~250 km/kg H₂