At Cochin International Airport (CIAL), Kochi, EKA Mobility, supported by Mitsui & Co., Ltd. of Japan and VDL Groep of the Netherlands, has partnered with KPIT Technologies and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to launch a 9-meter hydrogen fuel cell bus.
That being said, this is the first hydrogen-powered bus in Kerala. As a proof of concept (PoC) project, the bus, which has a capacity of over thirty people, will run at CIAL for three years. It was displayed at the Global Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Summit in Kochi.
While BPCL has established a hydrogen generating and refuelling facility in Kochi, EKA Mobility has equipped its 9-meter electric bus with KPIT hydrogen fuel cell technology. In addition to introducing an environmentally friendly bus, this collaboration constructs the infrastructure required for hydrogen mobility in Kerala.
“The launch of our hydrogen fuel cell bus in Kochi demonstrates our dedication to innovation and sustainable mobility,” stated Dr Sudhir Mehta, Founder & CEO of EKA Mobility.
The MD and CEO of KPIT Technologies, Mr Kishor Patil, said, “We have been steadfastly developing hydrogen fuel cell technology and other environmentally friendly solutions. To support the net zero goals of major infrastructure projects in Kerala, we are happy to be technical partners in this partnership with EKA Mobility and BPCL, where we unite as an ecosystem around hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses.
In addition to promoting hydrogen-powered buses, this project will draw funding for green hydrogen infrastructure and help develop regulations for future growth.
