Hydrogen 3-wheelers unveiled

The world's first hydrogen-powered three-wheeler, 'HyAlfa', was showcased at the 11th Auto Expo in New Delhi on Monday.

Part of a development project dubbed 'DelHy 3w', a fleet of 15 HyAlfa three-wheelers will run on an experimental basis at Pragati Maidan, where a hydrogen refuelling station has also been set up.

India Trade Organisation Promotion (ITPO) will use the vehicles on an experimental basis.

The HyAlfa has been developed under a joint project by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies (ICHET), Mahindra & Mahindra and IIT-Delhi, with support from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

'The aim of this project is to convert vehicles so that they can carry and use hydrogen -- a carbon-free fuel -- and thus remove all pollutants,' Mahindra & Mahindra president (Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors) Pawan Goenka told reporters in New Delhi.

He said the vehicle is not yet ready for commercial production and further fine-tuning will be required before moving in that direction.

'Moreover, we also have to look at commercial viability of running a hydrogen-powered three-wheeler as the cost of hydrogen will be around ₹250 per kg, which is not affordable at all,' he said.

Asked about the possible price of HyAlfa, he said, 'When the product is on mass production, it will cost ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 more than a CNG three-wheeler.'

On an average, a CNG three-wheeler costs close to ₹2 lakh.

Commenting on the development, UNIDO-ICHET Managing Director Mustafa Hatipoglu said the DelHy 3W projects aims to demonstrate hydrogen technologies developed by Indian partners for the Indian transport sector.

Project coordinator IIT-Delhi professor LM Das said HyAlfa marks a journey of 20 years from 'laboratory to land'.

ITPO chairperson-cum-managing director Rita Menon said the hydrogen-powered three-wheeler could play a role in moving toward a newer, sustainable and eco-friendly mode of transportation.

'We are happy to be a part of this project and are specially excited about the cargo version,' she said, adding that her organisation plans to submit a report within three months on the vehicle's performance to the project organisers.

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