In a first, the national capital will see buses plying on hydrogen-spiked CNG that gives emissions equivalent to BS-VI grade fuel from a lower category engine.
Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan formally launched the trial run of 50 buses on hydrogen-blended compressed natural gas or H-CNG on Tuesday. He said Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.'s research centre has developed the patented compact reforming process for H-CNG production directly from natural gas.
Besides lower emissions, H-CNG also gives better mileage, he said.
For the pilot, 18% of hydrogen is being spiked in CNG. H-CNG gives 70% less carbon monoxide and is 25% lower in hydrocarbon emissions in heavy-duty BS-IV engines as compared to baseline CNG, according to a statement by IOC.
Besides, it increased fuel economy by 4 to 5%.
Pradhan said the trails of H-CNG will be run in 50 BS-IV compliant buses. "Providing clean and reliable energy supplies is the topmost priority of the government," he said, adding the trial of HCNG on 50 buses will be a major breakthrough in India's journey towards the hydrogen economy.
He said as much as Rs 4 lakh crore investment is underway to transform India into a gas-based economy.
Natural gas currently constitutes 6.2% of all energy consumed in the country and the government is targeting to raise its share to 15%.
He said the investments are in laying pipelines, setting up LNG import terminals and city gas projects.
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