Hydrogen is often described as the bridge to a low-carbon future, a key vector in the clean energy transition. Yet the real question is: can it deliver at the scale of global level, especially in hard-to-abate, like transport and heavy industry? India has placed a strong bet. Its National Green Hydrogen Mission sets targets of 5 MMT annual production and up to 100 GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030, supported by significant public funding and state-driven hubs. This paper evaluates India’s hydrogen roadmap through technical, economic, and policy lenses, introducing analyses for three major aspects, in order to analyze the future of hydrogen mobility and hydrogen based energy. First, we develop a mobility cost-parity model, by combining India’s solar tariffs, PEM system costs, and energy needs. The model converts abstract figures into calculatory methodology for buses and trucks. The comparison with diesel parity provides a concrete benchmark for policy-makers. Second aspect covers mobility-focused infrastructure readiness index. It quantifies progress through electrolyzer manufacturing awards, refueling station pilots, and port-based projects like VOC Port’s and GAIL’s PEM plant at Vijaipur. The index highlights where India is catching up and where it still trails global leaders. The third analysis discusses a water–energy nexus assessment, which evaluates the liters of water needed for every kilogram of hydrogen, scaling the impact to national targets and considering waste water reuse and desalination of the water as a practical solution.
The study brings together costs, infrastructure, and environmental factors to sketch out scenarios for India’s hydrogen future through 2040. It points out clear engineering priorities, which scales up PEM electrolyzers for steady use, building hydrogen corridors for transport, fuel cell electric vehicles in automotive industry, and strengthening port systems for export. Rather than abstract ideas, these are practical steps, which can be regulated. Together, they highlight how India can move from ambition to action and stake a credible claim as a leader in hydrogen powered mobility and the global clean energy market.