India can capture world's market for hydrogen production: Nitin Gadkari

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers held its 64th annual session in New Delhi. Speaking at the event, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, spoke about India's potential to become a global leader in hydrogen production. Highlighting the significant role the automotive sector plays in the Indian economy, Gadkari stated that the industry contributes 6.8 percent to the GDP and 40 percent to the manufacturing sector.He also discussed the nation's commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2070. At present, the transport sector accounts for 30-40 percent of the country's air pollution.
Gadkari also highlighted the government's focus on promoting sustainable mobility and alternative fuels, including methanol, LNG, and CNG, to reduce costs and dependency on conventional fuels. He pointed out that the country’s current transport sector is 85 percent dependent on fossil fuels and stressed the need to explore innovative alternatives like green hydrogen. "Green hydrogen is crucial for the future of our country," Gadkari said, adding that India's potential to produce millions of metric tonnes of hydrogen annually.

The Union Minister highlighted the importance of technological advancements and infrastructure development for green hydrogen production. He shared that India is the number one manufacturer of electrolyzers globally, a vital component in hydrogen production. However, he noted that the current cost of hydrogen, approximately Rs 300 per kg, is high due to the electricity needed for its production. To address this, the minister proposed leveraging waste segregation to produce biohydrogen from organic waste. "By segregating waste like plastic, glass, and metal from organic waste, we can produce hydrogen from biodigesters, which could be a more economical source," he explained.
Gadkari set an ambitious target of reducing the cost of hydrogen production to USD 1 per kg, asserting that achieving this would enable India to capture the global hydrogen market. He highlighted recent developments in fuel cell cars and hydrogen internal combustion engine cars by companies like Toyota, saying that innovations are crucial in this run.
The minister also announced a significant investment of Rs 450 crore in new technology for a crash testing facility, which is expected to become operational within three months. With India already being the world's third-largest passenger vehicle market, the largest two-wheeler market, and the fifth-largest commercial vehicle market, the MoRTH chief’s roadmap aims to solidify India's position not just as an automotive giant but also a strong condenser in sustainable and green energy solutions.