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Tata Motors to Deploy 40 Green Hydrogen Trucks at Tuticorin Port in Major Green Push

Prime Highlights

  • Tata Motors has signed an MoU with V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority to deploy 40 green hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks at Tuticorin port.
  • The project aims to promote cleaner cargo handling and reduce carbon emissions at the port.

Key Facts

  • The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will fund the project, and the rollout will take place in phases over the next two years.
  • The fleet will include Prima 55-tonne trucks, and the port is setting up a 2 MW electrolyzer and a hydrogen refueling station to support operations.

Background:

Tata Motors has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) to introduce 40 green hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks at Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu over a two-year period. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will provide financial support for the initiative.

The MoU was formalised in the presence of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. As part of the agreement, Tata Motors will deploy hydrogen internal combustion engine-based prime movers for cargo movement within the port.

The rollout will start with one hydrogen-powered truck for trials. Based on its performance, the company will add more trucks step by step. The fleet will include the Prima 55-tonne truck, built for heavy loads.

Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson of VOCPA, said the introduction of hydrogen-powered vehicles will contribute to lowering emissions in port logistics. He noted that the port authority is also planning to install a 2 MW electrolyzer along with a dedicated hydrogen refuelling facility to support the upcoming fleet.

Rajesh Kaul, Vice President and Business Head – Trucks at Tata Motors, said the pilot programme will evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO) competitiveness while showcasing the role of green hydrogen in building cleaner logistics systems at ports.

Tata Motors continues to strengthen its alternative fuel vehicle portfolio in the commercial segment. The company makes vehicles that run on electric power, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen. In 2025, it started testing hydrogen trucks on major freight routes and introduced 15 hydrogen buses in India.

The Tuticorin project supports cleaner transport and aims to reduce pollution at port operations.