Tata Motors, India’s biggest maker of commercial vehicles, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, to send 40 Green Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2 ICE) prime movers to the port. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, was there to sign the agreement. This shows that the government supports efforts to make logistics more environmentally friendly.
Hydrogen Truck Trials and Deployment
Under the MoU, Tata Motors will begin trials with a hydrogen-powered prime mover, followed by the phased deployment of H2 ICE trucks over the next two years. The project will receive funding from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, demonstrating India’s commitment to accelerating green energy adoption in key sectors.
“The deployment of green hydrogen-powered trucks will significantly decarbonise our cargo handling operations while setting a benchmark for sustainable port-led logistics in India,” the port authority stated. “To support the phased induction of these Green Hydrogen trucks, the port is also planning a 2 MW electrolyzer and a dedicated hydrogen refueling station. These initiatives reinforce our commitment to building a robust green hydrogen ecosystem and position VOC Port as a leader in sustainable maritime infrastructure.”
Tata Motors’ Perspective
Mr. Rajesh Kaul, Vice President and Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Ltd, said, “Over the past several months, we have worked closely with the port authorities to assess pathways for hydrogen trucks in cargo handling applications. This pilot will demonstrate the potential of Green Hydrogen to achieve total cost of ownership parity and support India’s transition toward cleaner logistics solutions.”
Vehicle Features and Technology
The fleet will include the Tata Motors Prima 55-tonne prime mover, engineered for sustainable, high-performance, and cost-efficient transportation. The trucks feature a premium Prima cabin with advanced driver-assist safety systems, enhancing comfort, reducing fatigue, and improving productivity while setting new safety benchmarks.
Tata Motors is a leader in commercial vehicles that run on alternative fuels, such as battery-electric, CNG, LNG, hydrogen internal combustion, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. The company has a strong range of small commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, and vans. In 2025, Tata Motors started testing hydrogen trucks on major freight routes and has successfully put 15 hydrogen fuel cell buses on the road in India.
This partnership with VOC Port strengthens Tata Motors’ position as a leader in developing sustainable, zero-emission transportation and India’s green hydrogen ecosystem for commercial mobility.
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