Nitin Jirafe, Managing Director of Tata Cummins and Vice-President, Engine Business of Cummins India, reflects on the ongoing energy transition in the commercial sector, calling these times both interesting and crucial. With emerging technologies shaping the industry, he underscores that the next 5-10 years will be pivotal for both development and large-scale commercialisation. The real challenge lies in ensuring these innovations are not only developed but also accessible to customers in a way that optimises the total cost of ownership. The need for speed in adopting new technologies is apparent, but so too is the recognition that this transition won’t be immediate.
Leading the Charge in Decarbonisation
Tata Cummins and Cummins, Jirafe emphasises, are committed to decarbonisation. The company is heavily investing in new technologies globally, signalling an unwavering belief in the decarbonisation of India’s transport sector. As Jirafe puts it, their efforts align closely with both the government’s policies and the evolving needs of their customers. This close collaboration is seen as key to ensuring that the technologies not only emerge but thrive in the marketplace.
The 2025 Milestone
Looking ahead, Jirafe sets 2025 as a critical year. It is during this time that several new technologies—particularly LNG—will begin to prove their worth. Yet, he highlights a significant challenge: the infrastructure for LNG fuel stations in India is still in development. The pace of setting up these stations must increase if LNG is to be realised as a viable low-carbon alternative for commercial vehicle mobility. Similarly, hydrogen, another key area of focus, aligns with the government’s broader vision of energy independence, a concept that Jirafe acknowledges as essential for the country’s future.
Challenges with Green Hydrogen
The road to the widespread adoption of green hydrogen is far from smooth. Jirafe points out that while commercial applications are in progress, the technology is still in its proving phase. More pressing, though, are the distribution hurdles—ensuring the availability of hydrogen at key freight corridors remains a challenge. The high cost of hydrogen is also a factor in its transition to mass adoption, underscoring the need for a sustainable, accessible model before it can truly be integrated into the market.
Union Budget 2025
As the country moves forward with energy transition efforts, Jirafe expresses hope that the 2025 Union Budget will provide necessary support for accelerating the uptake of these technologies. He stresses that for such innovations to be adopted on a mass scale, they must become affordable. The budget, he believes, holds the potential to ease the financial burden on businesses investing in these green technologies, thereby aiding in their widespread implementation.
