India's first indigenously built Hydrogen Fuel Cell bus launched in Pune

Tags: National National News

Union Minister of State, Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on 21 August launched "India's first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell bus" in Pune.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• The bus is developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and private firm KPIT Limited. 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Hydrogen Vision' is crucial for India to ensure self-reliance.

• PM's ‘Hydrogen Vision' means affordable and accessible clean energy, meeting climate change goals, and creating new entrepreneurs and jobs.

• The central government is going to start operating hydrogen-powered buses on a pilot basis in the Leh region of Ladakh.

What is a hydrogen fuel cell ?

• The hydrogen fuel cell uses hydrogen and atmospheric air to generate electricity, producing only heat and water in the process.

• The hydrogen fuel cells on the bus combine hydrogen and oxygen atoms to generate electricity.

• The two gases i.e. hydrogen and oxygen react in an electrochemical cell, similar to a conventional battery cell, to produce electricity, water, and a small amount of heat.

• This electricity is used by electric motors to propel the vehicle.

• Hydrogen fuel cells continue to produce electricity as long as there is a supply of hydrogen.

• Like a conventional cell, a fuel cell consists of an anode (negative electrode) and a cathode (positive electrode) around an electrolyte.

Advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cell :

• They produce no tailpipe emissions. They emit only water vapour and warm air. 

• 'Tailpipe' emission standards specify the maximum amount of pollutants allowed in the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine.

• They are more efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles.

• It is more practical than battery-powered electric vehicles.

• Hydrogen can be refilled in a fuel cell vehicle within minutes.

• Hydrogen-powered vehicles provide an excellent means to eliminate road emissions.