The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology, known as ANERT, has invited consortium partners to join Phase II of its pilot projects focused on using green hydrogen in the transport sector. ANERT, an autonomous institution under the Department of Power, Government of Kerala, issued an Expression of Interest on November 15, 2025. This initiative is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission and aims to increase the adoption of green hydrogen technologies while supporting Kerala’s efforts to build a clean and modern transport system.
ANERT has called for eligible companies to submit budgetary proposals so they can work together in responding to a Request for Proposals from the Automotive Research Association of India. The last date for submitting proposals is November 22, 2025, at 5 PM. The shortlisted applicants will be informed on or before November 25, 2025. As the State Nodal Agency for Kerala’s Green Hydrogen Mission, ANERT is expected to act as the Lead Applicant and Executing Agency for the consortium. The agency is also in talks with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, which may operate the vehicles for this project.
Phase I of the project had already received funding support from ARAI. It included the development of two Hydrogen Refueling Stations and the pilot operation of four hydrogen-powered vehicles on two routes: Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi to Edappal. With the success of Phase I, ANERT is now preparing to expand the project under Phase II. This phase proposes two longer routes: Kochi to Palakkad, which is 140 km, and Kochi to Kozhikode, which is 205 km. These routes will help test the feasibility of hydrogen-powered mobility over longer distances and build confidence in hydrogen as a fuel for public transport.
The Expression of Interest seeks partners for two major components. The first component, called Part A, is focused on hydrogen-based vehicles. This section is limited to vehicle manufacturers that produce hydrogen-powered buses, trucks, or construction equipment with a weight greater than 3.5 tons. The second component, Part B, is dedicated to developing hydrogen refueling stations at two locations, one in Palakkad and the other near the Kozhikode-Kannur border. Only Public Sector Undertakings or Oil Marketing Companies can apply for this part. The required capacity of each refueling station must be at least 260 kilograms per day.
The final goal of Phase II is to operate hydrogen-powered vehicles for a period of 24 months. Each vehicle must cover a minimum of 60,000 kilometres. For construction equipment, the minimum operating requirement is 6,000 hours. To select the partners, ANERT will use a scoring system out of 100 points. The criteria include the company’s Minimum Annual Average Turnover and its experience in hydrogen-related projects, each carrying a weight of 40 percent. The financial component has a weightage of 20 percent.
ANERT plans to select at least one hydrogen vehicle manufacturer and two developers for the hydrogen refueling stations to form the consortium. One important detail is that the scheme does not provide funding for hydrogen production, land, operational, or maintenance costs. Applicants will also not be required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit or a Performance Bank Guarantee. ANERT has made it clear that submitting a proposal is voluntary and that the agency will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by the applicants during the process.
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