Kochi: Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is moving ahead with its plan to introduce hydrogen-powered buses at the airport, nearly eight months after the project was put on hold due to difficulties in sourcing suitable vehicles, The New Indian Express reported.
CIAL is preparing to invite bids for two hydrogen-powered buses that will be used to transport passengers within the airport premises. The airport operator is also exploring the possibility of leasing a hydrogen-powered bus as an alternative if procurement faces further delays.
The buses are the next major requirement for CIAL’s green hydrogen initiative, as the production and fuelling infrastructure is already operational.
The project involves a 1,000-kW green hydrogen plant developed by CIAL in partnership with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL). The facility has an initial capacity to produce 80 kg of green hydrogen a day, which is intended to fuel zero-emission vehicles, particularly buses operating at the airport.
Under the partnership, BPCL is responsible for hydrogen production, storage and dispensing, while CIAL has provided the land, water and green energy resources required for the project.
BPCL began construction of the facility in June 2024, with testing and commissioning completed in January 2026. With hydrogen production and fuelling facilities ready, operations can begin once the buses are available.
CIAL will handle the procurement of the buses and will also be responsible for their maintenance and daily operations.
However, the vehicles will undergo extensive testing before being deployed for passenger services. CIAL plans to conduct trial runs, with passengers allowed to travel only after the buses complete 10,000 km of testing, according to a CIAL source.
The airport operator is targeting the launch of hydrogen-powered bus services by the end of this year.
Since the buses will have to be manufactured to order, delivery could take six to eight months after procurement. To avoid another prolonged delay, CIAL is considering leasing a hydrogen-powered bus as an interim option.
KPIT Technologies and Tata Motors are among the companies being considered as potential sources for the buses. CIAL is expected to float the tender shortly, after which the procurement and approval process will begin.
