Tata Motors signs MoU to deploy 40 green hydrogen trucks at VOC Port

Bengaluru: India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer Tata Motors on Thursday signed an MoU with V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu), to deploy 40 Green Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine-powered (H2 ICE) prime movers at the port.

As part of the MoU, which was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Tata Motors will commence trials with a hydrogen-powered prime mover, followed by a phased deployment of H2 ICE-powered prime movers over the next two years. The project will be funded by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, underscoring the Centre's efforts to accelerate green energy adoption and building a sustainable, future-ready maritime ecosystem.

“Our partnership with Tata Motors marks a transformative step in VOC Port’s push to achieve net-zero emissions. 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. To support the phased induction of these Green Hydrogen trucks, the port is also progressing plans to establish a 2-MW electrolyser and a dedicated hydrogen refueling station,” VOCPA Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit said.

Meanwhile, the fleet for the project includes the Tata Motors Prima 55-tonne prime mover, aiming to offer sustainable, cost-efficient and high-performance transportation, and featuring the premium Prima cabin and advanced driver-assist safety features.

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President and Business Head — Trucks, Tata Motors Ltd, said, “Our collaboration with VOCPA marks an important milestone in bringing hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucking into real-world port operations. Over the past several months, we have worked closely with the port authorities to assess pathways for hydrogen trucks in cargo handling applications.”