KATHMANDU: In a move to promote cleaner transport, India has proposed special number plates for hydrogen-powered vehicles. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released a draft plan introducing a unique green-and-blue design to distinguish these vehicles on the road, according to Autocar.
According to the proposal, private hydrogen vehicles will use plates featuring white letters on a two-tone background—green on the top half and blue on the bottom. Commercial hydrogen vehicles will have yellow letters on the same colored background, while self-drive rental cabs will use a black-and-blue plate with yellow lettering.
This initiative is part of India’s broader push to reduce emissions and support alternative fuels. Hydrogen is emerging as a promising option, especially for long-distance travel, due to its ability to store energy efficiently and its compatibility with current vehicle infrastructure.
Major Indian automakers such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland and Olectra Greentech are actively developing hydrogen vehicle technologies. In parallel, energy companies including Reliance Industries, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) are investing in hydrogen refueling stations to support this transition.
The Indian government expects to see 50 hydrogen-powered trucks and buses on the roads this year, with plans to scale that number to over 1,000 by 2030. Among the notable developments, the Adani Group recently unveiled India’s first hydrogen-powered mining truck marking a significant step in decarbonizing industrial logistics.
Nepal, too, is beginning to explore the potential of hydrogen energy. In its fiscal budget for 2025/26, the government announced full tax exemptions on imported machinery used to produce green hydrogen. To further encourage the sector, green hydrogen producers in Nepal will also be exempt from income tax for five years.
Although still in its early stages, Nepal’s interest in hydrogen is taking shape through academic initiatives. Kathmandu University has developed a hydrogen-powered vehicle and set up a small-scale refueling station as part of a pilot project to study the energy source’s potential in the country.
As both countries take strides in this emerging sector, hydrogen is increasingly seen as a viable path towards sustainable transportation in South Asia.
