Shyamsher Saroj

India is committed towards the net zero emissions targets by 2070 and further, India is to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by more than 45 percent by 2030. Transportation accounts for around a quarter of global energy related CO2 emissions, while 70 percent of the direct transport emissions come from on-road vehicles which is cars, trucks, buses, two & three wheelers excluding the railways or the other mobility such as shipping / aviation. Use of alternative energy sources for transport sector either in the form of a replacement i.e., electric vehicles (EVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), or directly to IC (internal combustion) engine, the gap is still less because of the lower capital cost for on-road / off road IC based mobility options. The road transport is going to offer the biggest advantage in terms of cost reduction and that would be the trigger for scaling up of alternative fuel options rapidly for the country like India. Recently India has ventured in market with variety of fuel option for transport sectors like battery electric vehicles, ethanol blended gasoline, CNG (compresses natural gas), LNG (liquified natural gas), hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen in internal combustion engine. There are three (03) critical evaluation parameters or factors which are identified for commercial adoption, termed as total cost of ownership (TCO) / net energy ratio (NER), infrastructure readiness, and emissions reduction. The present work has highlighted the evaluation parameters of various fuel technologies which are either matured (diesel / gasoline / CNG) or being under research, development, demonstration in India through various flagship & mission (LNG / H2ICE / HFCEVs). The comparative analysis of different alternate fuel powertrains for sustainability & future mobility options in India for heavy duty vehicle is based on the critical findings assessed from the experimental and market / government database tabulated against each fuel technology. The output parameters like TCO / NER and infrastructure readiness were provided from the market resources & government database while the emission output for each fuel technology was tabulated from the experimental results conducted in house with help of suitable test facilities. The weighing factor is provided to each output parameter for decisive & conclusive analysis. The present paper is highlighting the importance of multi-energy strategies with specific pathways for heavy duty vehicle segment, recognizing that different type of alternate fuel sources may require distinct technological solutions. Additionally, it may be concluded from the study that apart from the emission reduction strategies, the policy makers will also have to look upon reviving the key customer centric points which will be the enablers for adoption of alternative fuel towards the fulfilment of net zero goals of the country.