Tata Motors and Cummins India have plans to jointly set up a hydrogen engine-based vehicle manufacturing unit in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.

Senior executives of Tata Motors, Cummins India and Tata Steel briefed Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday evening at Jharkhand secretariat in Ranchi on their plans of investing in the new green technology-based vehicle manufacturing plant in Jamshedpur.

The chief minister saw their presentation on the hydrogen engine-based vehicle manufacturing plant and assured them of all possible cooperation from the state government.

“At present, global warming is a challenge for the whole world. There is a need to move towards green technology in future. There are immense possibilities for investment in Jharkhand. Tata Motors should work by preparing a better master plan for setting up a new green technology manufacturing project in a clean environment using new technology. The state government will always support the vehicle manufacturers,” Soren was quoted as saying in a release issued by the chief minister’s office on Wednesday evening.

Officials of Tata Motors Jamshedpur plant gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation before Soren.

“Tata Motors officials informed that there are immense possibilities of investment on expansion of a new green technology manufacturing project (hydrogen engine-based vehicle manufacturing) in Jamshedpur,” added the release.

Tata Motors and Cummins India already have their manufacturing units in Jamshedpur. They are now preparing to make electric vehicles as well as hydrogen engine-powered vehicles.

“Tata Motors aims to achieve zero carbon emissions in the automobile sector in the coming 25 to 30 years. It wants to set up a hydrogen segment in Jamshedpur with support from the Jharkhand government. Along with electric vehicles, Tata Motors is now focusing on manufacturing hydrogen engine-powered vehicles,” said a Tata Motors official who had attended the meeting.

The officials who were present at the meeting included Tata Motors executive director Girish Wagh, Tata Steel vice-president of corporate services, Chanakya Chaudhary, Tata Motors vice-president Vishal Badshah, and Cummins India managing director Ashwath Ram among others.

In March last year, Tata Motors had taken significant steps in the development of hydrogen-powered vehicles in line with the government of India's target of reducing the emissions intensity of its economy by 45 per cent in 2030.