Government signals hydrogen bus rollout across 10 routes

Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said hydrogen buses will be introduced on 10 routes, alongside continued promotion of electric vehicles and electric tractors. No rollout timeline or route details were specified.

— Source publishedSat, 26 Sept, 2026, 12:29 IST·First seen Sun, 27 Sept, 2026, 11:49 IST·Source ET Auto Retail

What happened

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways · Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government will introduce hydrogen buses on 10 routes while continuing

Key facts

  • 10 hydrogen bus routes

What changed

Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government will introduce hydrogen buses on 10 routes while continuing to promote electric vehicles, including electric tractors, alongside hydrogen-powered mobility.

Why this matters

Hydrogen buses on 10 planned routes signal a longer-term shift in commercial mobility, so fleet and logistics teams should monitor route, timing and refueling-infrastructure details before adjusting procurement plans.

What to watch

  • Named 10 routes, launch dates and expected bus volumes
  • Union or state budget allocations, subsidies or viability-gap funding for hydrogen buses
  • Hydrogen refuelling-station contracts and renewable-hydrogen supply agreements
  • STU tenders specifying fuel-cell buses, operating leases or per-kilometre contracts
  • Evidence of total-cost-of-ownership parity versus electric and CNG buses