Hydrogen Fuel Bus and car launched by NTPC

The National Thermal Power Corporation recently launched ten Hydrogen Fuel Cell based buses and 10 similar electric cars.

Highlights

• The buses and cars were launched in New Delhi and Leh. 
• Similar proposal is under implementation in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Other initiatives of NTPC

• NTPC has been taking several such initiatives to provide e-mobility solution for public transport. 
• This includes providing charging infrastructure and electric bus to state and city transport systems.
• NTPC has so far commissioned 90 public charging stations in and around the city of Faridabad.

Why electric buses?

• The initiative undertaken by NTPC to procure hydrogen fueled buses is to decarbonize transport system in the country.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

• The Hydrogen Fuel Cell use chemical process to convert hydrogen rich fuel into electricity. 
• The main advantage of fuel cells is that they need not be charged frequently. 
• They produce electricity as long as the fuel is available
• In a Hydrogen Fuel cell, the hydrogen is passed through the anode, oxygen is passed through cathode. 
• At anode, the hydrogen molecules are split into protons and electrons. 
• The protons hence formed pass through electrolyte membrane. 
• This forces electron to pass into the circuit, generating electric current.

Benefits

• The major benefits of hydrogen fuel cells include high efficiency, low to zero emissions, fuel flexibility, quiet operation, durability and energy security.