Auto-rickshaws are a mode of low-cost, point-to-point transportation in Indian cities. The use of two-stroke engines running on gasoline and diesel, coupled with poor maintenance, often results in high pollutant emissions, particularly particulate matter and hydrocarbons. There have been a number of initiatives in recent years to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, and a number of Indian cities have shifted to alternate fuels, such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). However, one of the key caveats associated with these fuels is that oil is still added in the two-stroke version of the vehicle, which can contribute to a considerable amount of pollution.

To fulfill the twin objectives of high energy efficiency and less pollution, research is now underway to assess the feasibility of hydrogen-fueled auto-rickshaws. Hydrogen, being a clean, non-polluting source of energy, can potentially contribute towards energy security of the country, as well as help in achieving reductions in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy Conversion Devices,Inc., a leading materials and alternative energy company, in collaboration with Bajaj Auto Limited, India’s largest three-wheeler taxi manufacturer, launched a project (funded by the U.S. government) to construct and prepare prototype auto-rickshaws with hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines (ICE) from the normal gasoline auto-rickshaws. The researchers found that the performance was comparable with CNG autos (see the fully study: “Clean Hydrogen Technology for 3-Wheel Transportation in India.”)

More recently, at the Auto Expo that concluded last month in New Delhi, Mahindra showcased its new hydrogen-fuel auto-rickshaw, HyAlfa, which has been touted as the world’s first hydrogen auto-rickshaw. The project cost nearly $1 million and was co-financed by Mahindra & Mahindra and United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies (UNIDO-ICHET). Experts at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi designed and tested the vehicle, which was then adapted and manufactured by Mahindra & Mahindra. A fleet of 15 auto-rickshaws is currently on a trial run at Pragati Maidan, an exhibition complex in Delhi,  but the rickshaws are not expected to enter commercial markets until 2020.

However, given the high number of owner-drivers in the auto-rickshaw sector, operating costs remain a major barrier. Hydrogen fuel is expected to cost around INR 250 (US$5) per kilogram in the market, compared to INR 35-50 (US$0.7-1) per kilogram of  CNG fuel. Another consideration is the cost of the vehicle, which is expected to be at least INR 20,000 (US$405) to INR 25,000 (US$507) higher than a CNG auto-rickshaw. An earlier report had estimated the cost of setting up a hydrogen fuel pump as INR 5 crore (learn more: “A Study of Fuel Cell Hybrid Auto Rickshaws Using Realistic Urban Drive Cycles.”)

Commercial viability of the hydrogen-fueled auto-rickshaws remains to be seen, but the introduction of the auto-rickshaw to the market is a positive ste towards cleaner and less polluting transport systems.