Bharat Benz and Reliance Industries Unveil Hydrogen-Run Intercity Concept Luxury Bus at G20 Summit in Goa

The collaborative effort between Bharat Benz, a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in India, and Reliance Industries, a conglomerate known for its diverse ventures, aimed to address environmental challenges and revolutionize the public transport sector.

In a groundbreaking display of innovation and sustainability, Bharat Benz and Reliance Industries joined forces to showcase their latest creation, a hydrogen-run intercity concept luxury bus, at the prestigious G20 Summit held in Goa. The event, attended by world leaders and industry experts, provided the perfect platform to unveil this cutting-edge transportation solution.

The collaborative effort between Bharat Benz, a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in India, and Reliance Industries, a conglomerate known for its diverse ventures, aimed to address environmental challenges and revolutionize the public transport sector.

The hydrogen-run luxury bus boasts a futuristic design with state-of-the-art amenities and advanced technology. Powered by a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell system, the bus offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional diesel-driven vehicles. It presents a promising solution to combat air pollution and reduce the carbon footprint associated with intercity travel.

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Nitin Seth, CEO of Reliance Industries' New Mobility, announced in a social media post that the bus will undergo comprehensive trials and safety validations over the next 12 months. The showcasing took place during the G20 Presidency, which is taking place in Goa from July 19 to 22.

Seth emphasized that Reliance Industries constructed the bus's fuel cell system employing cutting-edge components from "international partners with significant localisation." It is intended to be used to undertake advanced engineering research to investigate the viability of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell as a future propulsion alternative.

According to Seth, the bus has a gross system power of 127 kW and a net power of 105 kW, which is equivalent to 300 HP for an intercity diesel bus.

One of the key highlights of the concept luxury bus is its extensive range, allowing it to operate continuously without the need for frequent refuelling stops. This feature addresses one of the primary concerns in adopting hydrogen-based technology for public transport.

With the successful showcase at the G20 Summit, both companies are expected to work towards further refining the concept and moving towards large-scale production and deployment. This innovative initiative could pave the way for similar advancements in other countries, potentially transforming the global public transport landscape.

In conclusion, the unveiling of the hydrogen-run intercity concept luxury bus by Bharat Benz and Reliance Industries at the G20 Summit in Goa represents a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable mobility and environmental preservation. The collaboration exemplifies the power of combining industry expertise and technology to shape a greener future for generations to come.

The Government of India (GoI) started the National Hydrogen Mission (NGM) on August 15, 2021, with the goal of producing five million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, saving one trillion rupees on fossil fuel imports and reducing carbon emissions by 50 MTs. The Mission, which has a total budget of Rs 19,744 crore, has set aside Rs 17,490 crore for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program, Rs 400 crore for research and development, and Rs 388 crore for other mission components. NGM has set aside around Rs 1,466 crores for the next pilot projects.