RIL to convert its 5,000 diesel trucks to green hydrogen-powered trucks

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is planning to convert its internal fleet of nearly 5,000 diesel-powered trucks into green hydrogen-powered trucks as part of the company’s green initiatives. Accordingly, the diesel powered internal combustion engines of the fleet will be converted to hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines (H2ICE) by mid-2024, reports citing sources at the SIAM International Symposium, held on the on the sidelines of Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 said.

RIL has been conducting trial runs of hydrogen-powered trucks at its Jamnagar refinery and has already used 6,000 kg of hydrogen for advanced trials. These trials are currently at an advanced stage, according to company officials. 

Trials have established the reliability and advantages of hydrogen fuel-powered trucks, which were  found to be three times more efficient compared to diesel-powered trucks.

Also, the H2ICE powered trucks do not produce any polluting emissions while delivering smooth and noise-less performance with reduced operating costs.

The introduction of these H2IC trucks into the fleet auger well for the creation of an entire hydrogen-led ecosystem, according to the company.

Reliance Industries will be investing a total of $10 billion for creating a green energy ecosystem comprising 100GW renewable energy capacity, a solar giga factory, as well as facilities for battery manufacturing and green hydrogen production, at Jamnagar, according to Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries.

The solar giga factory will manufacture PV modules, cells, wafers, ingots, polysilicon and glass, at a single location. 

Reliance industries has tied up with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to supply green hydrogen.

As part of its green initiative Reliance also plans to set up a network of hydrogen dispensation stations along strategic highways such as Mumbai to Delhi, with an average length of 1,500 km. 

Reliance Industries has been working with Ashok Leyland and other technical partners to develop the H2ICE technology.