Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), part of the
diversified Adani portfolio of companies, today signed an agreement
to launch a pilot project to develop a hydrogen fuel cell electric truck
(FCET) for mining logistics and transportation with Ashok Leyland,
India, and Ballard Power, Canada.
This collaboration marks Asia’s first planned hydrogen powered
mining truck.
The demonstration project will be led by AEL, a company focused
on both mining operations and developing green hydrogen projects
for sourcing, transporting, and building out hydrogen refueling
infrastructure.
Ballard, an industry leading PEM fuel cell engine manufacturer, will
supply the FCmoveTMfuel cell engine for the hydrogen truck and
Ashok Leyland, one of the largest manufacturers of buses in the
world, will provide the vehicle platform and technical support.
The FCET is scheduled to be launched in India this year.
A release from AEL said the Adani Group previously announced it
plans to invest more than USD 50 billion over the next ten years in
green hydrogen and associated ecosystems corresponding to a
capacity of up to 3 million tons of green hydrogen annually.
Vinay Prakash, Director, AEL and CEO, Adani Natural Resources
said this pioneering and ambitious green hydrogen project holds
a strong promise for India’s future energy self-reliance and is
consistent with the vision of Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani
Group, of accelerating the use of hydrogen-powered fuel cell
technology in the commercial transport system.
This experience of handling hydrogen as a fuel for commercial
fleet not only prepones the advent of hydrogen technology for
the mining and logistics sector in the country but will also enable
other businesses to opt for long-term sustainable solutions
transitioning fleets in ports, airports and in their industrial
operations, he said.
The hydrogen powered mining truck will weigh 55 tons, have
three hydrogen tanks, a 200-km working range, and powered
by Ballard’s 120 kW PEM fuel cell technology.
“After signing an MoU with the Adani Group last year, we are
eager to move our partnership forward and welcome the chance
to cooperate with cutting-edge businesses like Adani,” said Randy
MacEwen, CEO, Ballard Power Systems.
“Our technology offers a strong value proposition for their heavy
duty mining truck with our zero emission engines providing long
range, rapid refueling and heavy payload capabilities”, he said.
“Ashok Leyland is excited to collaborate with Adani and Ballard
to bring out fuel cell commercial vehicles in the mining and
logistics sectors in India,” said Dr. N. Saravanan, CTO, Ashok
Leyland.
“With our track record of developing unique and new products,
Ballard’s technological expertise in fuel cells, and Adani’s
unwavering dedication to hydrogen, there is a significant
opportunity for India to decarbonize both goods and
passenger transportation”, he said.
