Ashok Leyland to launch hydrogen-powered trucks in India by 2027
Chennai-based commercial vehicle giant Ashok Leyland, part of the Hinduja Group, has confirmed that it will launch its first hydrogen-powered trucks in India by 2027. The move comes as India accelerates its transition to clean mobility, with government reforms and the National Green Hydrogen Mission laying the foundation for large-scale adoption of hydrogen as a fuel.
Hydrogen: The Next Big Shift After EVs
According to managing director and CEO Shenu Agarwal, the technology has reached a level of maturity where commercial deployment is possible within the next two years. Hydrogen is widely regarded as the cleanest energy source, producing only water as a byproduct. For long-distance freight and heavy-duty vehicles, it offers several advantages over traditional fuels, including up to 50% lower fuel consumption and significantly longer driving ranges compared to diesel.
The government also reinforced this shift with a GST reform, effective September 22, that slashed the tax rate on fuel cell motor vehicles—including hydrogen-based trucks—from 12% to 5%. This is expected to make hydrogen vehicles more cost-competitive and attractive to fleet operators.
Ashok Leyland’s Clean Mobility Journey
Ashok Leyland has been steadily building its alternative fuel portfolio. It entered the electric vehicle space in 2017 with the launch of its first electric bus and has since expanded into electric trucks and LNG-powered vehicles. The company is also investing in battery cell manufacturing to support its EV ecosystem.
“The first step was to develop all alternative powertrains like EV, hydrogen, and LNG. We are now at a stage where we can commercialise these technologies,” Agarwal said at the 65th SIAM Annual Convention in Delhi.
Earlier collaborations have also played a role in Ashok Leyland’s hydrogen journey. In 2023, the company partnered with Reliance Industries to introduce a hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) truck, which was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That same year, it joined hands with Adani Group and Canada’s Ballard Power to develop a hydrogen fuel cell electric truck.
National Pilots and Policy Push
The government’s National Green Hydrogen Mission is actively supporting the sector with pilot projects. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned five hydrogen mobility pilots, covering 37 vehicles (15 hydrogen fuel cell and 22 hydrogen internal combustion engine models) along with nine refuelling stations across 10 routes in India. With a financial outlay of ₹208 crore, these pilots are expected to be commissioned within the next 18–24 months.
Future Outlook
By 2027, Ashok Leyland aims to be among the first movers in India’s hydrogen truck market, complementing its EV and LNG offerings. Analysts believe hydrogen can become a game-changer for heavy-duty, long-haul applications, where battery EVs face limitations. With strong policy backing, corporate partnerships, and advancing technology, hydrogen trucks could soon become a common sight on India’s highways.