Ballard Power Systems has signed an agreement to launch a pilot project to develop a hydrogen fuel cell electric truck for mining operations with Adani and Ashok Leyland. This collaboration should result in Asia’s first planned hydrogen-powered mining truck.

The demonstration project will be led by Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), which has experience both mining operations and developing green hydrogen projects, while Ballard will supply its FCmove fuel cell system for the hydrogen truck. Ashok Leyland will provide the vehicle platform and technical support.

Technical details have also been announced for the planned truck, as the companies state that the hydrogen-powered mining truck will weigh 55 tons, have three hydrogen tanks, a 200-km working range, and be powered by Ballard’s 120 kW PEM fuel cell technology. Production of the truck is scheduled to be launched in India in 2023.

“This pioneering and ambitious green hydrogen project holds a strong promise for India’s future energy self-reliance and is consistent with the vision of Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, of accelerating the use of hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology in the commercial transport system,” said Vinay Prakash, Director, Adani Enterprises Limited and CEO, Adani Natural Resources, adding: “This experience of handling hydrogen as a fuel for commercial fleet not only prepones the advent of hydrogen technology for the mining and logistics sector in the country but will also enable other businesses to opt for long-term sustainable solutions transitioning fleets in ports, airports and in their industrial operations.”

“Ashok Leyland is excited to collaborate with Adani and Ballard to bring out fuel cell commercial vehicles in the mining and logistics sectors in India,” said Dr. N. Saravanan, CTO, Ashok Leyland.

The Adani Group previously announced it plans to invest more than USD 50 billion over the next ten years in green hydrogen and associated ecosystems, corresponding to a capacity of up to three million tons of green hydrogen annually. On the other hand, just a few days ago, Aani announced plans to deploy 400 BYD electric trucks at Indian ports, proving that the company is both interested in and capable of working with several vehicle drive types.