9 January 2012: The world’s first fleet of hydrogen-fueled three-wheelers, commonly called rickshaws, have been launched in New Delhi, India. The 15 rickshaws will be refueled at a station at Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, where the fleet will be operating.

The project cost US$ 1 million, with half the costs provided by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies (UNIDO-ICHET). The hydrogen-powered rickshaws and the refuelling station were established as part of the DELHY-3W project, which aims to demonstrate hydrogen technologies developed by Indian partners for the Indian transport sector. India’s Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Farooq Abdullah, welcomed the event, noting that, “hydrogen holds great promise for a cleaner urban environment. Hydrogen can replace polluting and diminishing fossil fuels with a fuel whose only emission is pure water. If hydrogen is produced from renewable energy sources, then it is the cleanest fuel from well to wheel.”

The project involved a variety of domestic and foreign partners, including: the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), which was the DELHY-3W project co-ordinator; Mahindra and Mahindra, which developed the vehicle and all necessary changes to engines, safety systems, fuel tanks and fuel lines; Air Products USA, which acted as project partner and sponsor by providing the hydrogen refueling station as well as management and technical services; UNIDO’s India regional Office, which facilitated the realization of the project; the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), which is hosting the project and helping disseminate the Indian know-how; the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy; and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), which provided all necessary permits and approvals for the refuelling facility and hydrogen storage tanks on the vehicles. [UNIDO News Release]