Tata to start on-highway tests of hydrogen ICE trucks in India

Tata Prima H.55S was unveiled in 2023 (Photo: Reuters/Rahul Singh)

The Commercial Vehicles division of India’s Tata Motors is set to start a pilot project using trucks fitted with hydrogen internal combustion (IC) engines.

The test will be operated in partnership with IOCL, India’s national oil company.

As part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the company will operate trucks on three routes for up to 18 months. The three routes will be Mumbai-Pune, Jamshedpur-Kalinganagar and Mumbai-Ahmedabad.

In addition to data from the trucks, the tests will help to outline where refuelling infrastructure is needed to support future commercial use of hydrogen trucks.

Tata already has 15 fuel cell electric buses operating in a test with IOCL.

While not confirmed, it is likely the test will feature the Prima H.55S, the first truck produced in India to feature a hydrogen IC engine. Versions of the Prima range fitted with an electric drivetrain (E.55S) and an LNG fuel system (G.55S) were presented at the Bharat Mobility Show 2025.

Cummins B6.7H hydrogen engine (Photo: Cummins)

The Prima H.555 is reported as using a Cummins B6.7LH hydrogen IC engine, part of the company’s fuel agnostic range. The engine produces 216 kW (290 hp) and 1200 Nm peak torque.

It is reported that Tata is planning to start commercial sales of a hydrogen fuel truck model by 2027.