On February 6, at the India Energy Week in Bengaluru, which was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and its vehicle partner Ashok Leyland presented India’s first hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) technological solution for heavy-duty trucks.

Since the previous year, RIL and Ashok Leyland have been working on developing this technology, with the goal of having the first engines running in early 2022.

According to a statement from Reliance, the hydrogen technology solution would redefine the future of green transportation by emitting almost no emissions, providing performance on par with traditional diesel trucks, reducing noise, and having predicted operational cost reductions.

Before launching the H2ICE technology for heavy-duty vehicles on a large scale throughout its captive fleet, Reliance will first thoroughly test and confirm it.

Green hydrogen is produced using low-carbon or renewable energy sources. According to a recent Niti Aayog research, green hydrogen is essential for India’s economic growth and efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, and the technology can reduce CO2 emissions by 3.6 gigatons by the year 2050.

Since the previous year, Reliance and Ashok Leyland have been working on developing this technology, with the goal of having the first engines running in early 2022.

This was the first major event of G20 under the presidency of India. The prime minister stated that “I ask you to explore all opportunities connected with India’s energy sector. India is the most opportune place for investment today.”

Numerous ministers, well-known business leaders, and experts are attending the event.