Government proposes blue-green registration plates for hydrogen-powered vehicles across India

The Indian government has proposed a new registration plate design for vehicles that run on hydrogen. This is part of an effort to promote cleaner fuel options and make such vehicles easily identifiable. A draft notification was released by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on June 26, 2025. It includes different colour schemes for hydrogen-powered private, commercial, and cab vehicles.

For private hydrogen vehicles, the number plate will have a green top half and a blue bottom half, with white letters and numbers.

For commercial hydrogen vehicles, the colour pattern of green and blue halves will remain the same, but the figures will be in yellow instead of white. This matches the existing style for commercial plates, where yellow letters are used.

For cabs operating on hydrogen, the number plate will have a black top half and a blue bottom half, also with yellow letters and numbers.

This step follows the previous initiative where the government introduced green number plates for electric vehicles (EVs). The new proposal is an attempt to expand this identification system to hydrogen fuel vehicles as well. The ministry has asked the public and stakeholders to share their comments or objections on the proposal. They can send their feedback to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for consideration before the final rules are issued.

Hydrogen adoption in India

At present, hydrogen-powered vehicles are not widely used in India. Most of them are part of pilot projects, supported by the government or by partnerships with international organisations. These pilot programs are helping test the use of hydrogen as a clean and efficient fuel. The goal is to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions in the transportation sector.

Hydrogen fuel is considered a clean energy source because it emits only water vapor when used in vehicles. However, building the required infrastructure like fueling stations is still a challenge. For now, hydrogen vehicles are mainly being used in controlled environments, such as research programs or limited public transport services.

The government believes that a clear and distinctive number plate for hydrogen vehicles can help in their recognition, tracking, and regulation. It will also help traffic and transport authorities differentiate them from other fuel types on the road.

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The move comes as part of India’s larger goal to transition to green mobility, which includes electric vehicles, biofuels, and now hydrogen as a key component. By using different colours for different fuel types, the system ensures that law enforcement and the general public can easily spot and identify these vehicles.

To summarise, the government’s proposal is aimed at promoting hydrogen-powered vehicles in a visible and structured manner. The distinctive blue-green plates and their variations for different types of vehicles are designed to support India’s clean transport future. Once the public feedback is collected, the ministry will decide whether to go ahead with this proposal and how to implement it across the country.