In a step towards eco-friendly transport solutions, the Indian Navy has joined forces with Indian Oil to test and potentially expand the use of hydrogen fuel cell buses. This partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at Nau Sena Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, and S M Vaidya, Chairman of IndianOil. The MoU exchange was facilitated by Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor, Controller of Logistics, Indian Navy, and Dr. Kannan Chandrasekaran, Executive Director of IndianOil. This collaboration highlights a strategic move towards integrating advanced energy solutions into military transport. Admiral Tripathi expressed confidence in the initiative, stating, The partnership between IndianOil and the Indian Navy is built on an unbreakable bond of trust. We will be testing one of the hydrogen buses and look forward to deploying environment-friendly transportation in larger numbers. S M Vaidya emphasised the broader impact of this initiative, noting, As we continue to support our defense forces with innovative, forward-looking solutions that cater to tomorrow's needs, IndianOil is leading the way in advancing green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Currently, IndianOil operates 15 fuel cell buses that have collectively covered 300,000 kilometers in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat. Each bus in this fleet is expected to run at least 20,000 kilometers. This program not only demonstrates the operational viability of hydrogen fuel technology in public and strategic transport but also aligns with the government's push towards sustainable mobility solutions. This initiative is part of a broader assessment to determine the performance of fuel cell electric buses under the challenging conditions of the Delhi NCR region. The project focuses on analysing the impact of local fuel and air quality on fuel cell systems' performance and determining the vehicles' effectiveness, longevity, and operational reliability for potential use in public fleets. (Source:ET)