Pune | October 17, 2025 12:52 AM IST 3 min readBY RUTA PATILIn a move towards greener public transport, Pune has begun trials of a hydrogen fuel-powered bus under the Centre’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. The trials will continue for the next seven days on different routes across the city after which a detailed review will determine whether these buses can be adopted into Pune’s public transport system.The initiative is a joint effort between PMPML, Tata Motors and Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (Mahaurja), marking the first such experiment in the city to test the viability of hydrogen fuel as a sustainable alternative for public mobility. Experts from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Mahaurja, Regional Transport Office (RTO) will also monitor the trials. Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) is the key coordinator in the project.“This is the future fuel, which will surely reduce pollution,” said Pankaj Deore, Chairman and Managing Director of PMPML. “This is the first step in Pune towards implementing the Green Policy adopted by the Maharashtra government. All associated organisations will review the trial and tomorrow we will decide on the parameters for evaluation. If successful, a hydrogen fuel centre will likely be set up in Balewadi,” he added.The hydrogen bus, which operates on fuel cell technology, converts hydrogen into electricity to power an electric motor, offering zero tailpipe emissions.Explaining the significance of the project, Anand Raidurg, general manager of Mahaurja project division, said, “The use of hydrogen-based vehicles will save huge amount of money as India currently imports oil and fuel. This technology can make us self-reliant. Heavy vehicles are major contributors to pollution, but with these buses, emissions become nil.”He added that if the Pune trials prove successful, similar initiatives will be rolled out in Mumbai, Nagpur and Nashik.Story continues below this adEach hydrogen bus costs around Rs 2.5 crore, but the government offers a 30% capital subsidy for local bodies adopting such buses. Subsidies are also available for establishing refilling stations, similar to the EV charging infrastructure. “The only major challenge lies in generating and supplying green hydrogen efficiently,” Raidurg said. “For long distances, it needs to be produced close to the point of use. But this is a gradual shift. Diesel and even some electric vehicles depend on fossil fuels, so hydrogen buses bring us closer to truly clean mobility.”Hydrogen buses are already operational in Delhi and Vadodara. Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:pune