ISRO, Tatas in tie up for H-powered vehicles

Taking cues from its fortunes in the space, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is now exploring opportunities on the ground, literally. Leveraging its expertise in handling of hydrogen to power rockets, Bangalore-headquartered ISRO is working on a new generation engine for automobiles which will be powered by hydrogen.

ISRO has already reached into an agreement with Tata Motors for a pilot project to see whether hydrogen can be used to fuel automobiles. ISRO and Tata Motors are working on developing of a proto-model of a hydrogen-powered automobile, which is expected to hit the roads next year, G Madhavan Nair, chairman, ISRO, said.

ISRO uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as fuel for its cryogenic engine, where hydrogen works as the fuel and oxygen as the oxidiser.

Nair who is also the secretary in the department of space said that work to this effect has already been started.

"We are working with Tatas to see how best a prototype can be put on road by next year. If we succeed, we can have bulk transportation system. Even cars to an extent can switch over to hydrogen fuel cells," Nair added.

He said while Tata Motors would use its expertise in making cars, ISRO would take care of the storage and handling of Hydrogen.

ISRO proposes to use its rocket propulsion technology in the vehicle. The vehicle would not have an internal combustion engine since it will be powered by electricity.

Nair said, "Hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen will combine in the fuel cell to produce electricity and the byproduct will be water vapour."