Picture credits: BluJ Aerospace
India: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Maharatna PSU, has signed a quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BluJ Aerospace, the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT), and Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) on March 12, 2025, in Kochi.
The agreement focuses on developing the world’s first hydrogen-powered Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aviation ecosystem. The project aims to establish hydrogen-fueled VTOL aircraft, which can take off and land vertically without the need for runways.
BPCL will set up hydrogen refueling infrastructure at its upcoming Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to support this initiative. The company will also engage in research and development to design an Indigenous Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Hydrogen Fuel Cell, intended to support vertical lift-off in these aircraft. These refueling stations will be integrated into Kerala’s Hydrogen Valley Program, facilitating research and pilot projects.
The initiative is aligned with India’s net-zero emissions target for 2070 and includes BPCL’s broader commitment to clean energy. BPCL has outlined investments in sustainable energy projects, including hydrogen and electric vehicle infrastructure. As part of this plan, the company has committed to setting up electric vehicle charging stations at 7,000 fuel stations over the next five years.
BPCL Chairman & Managing Director G. Krishnakumar stated that the collaboration reflects the company’s focus on hydrogen-based aviation and urban mobility. This partnership involves combining aerospace technology, hydrogen energy solutions, and airport infrastructure to develop a hydrogen-powered VTOL aviation ecosystem.
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