Autobayng News Team
The notification follows a draft proposal issued on March 20, 2026, on which no objections or suggestions were received from the public within the prescribed period.“>
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, introducing type-approval requirements for hydrogen-powered vehicles in India.
Under the amendments, new Rule 125E lays down safety and procedural requirements for type approval of vehicles powered by hydrogen.
For M and N category vehicles powered by compressed gaseous hydrogen internal combustion engines, type approval requirements will be based on AIS 195:2023, as amended from time to time. Hydrogen fuel specifications for such vehicles will conform to ISO 16061:2021.
For special-purpose vehicles powered by compressed gaseous hydrogen internal combustion engines, type approval requirements will be based on AIS 195T:2024, while hydrogen fuel specifications will continue to follow ISO 16061:2021.
Fuel-cell vehicle requirements
The notification also introduces Rule 125EA covering hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.
For M and N category hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, type approval requirements will be governed by AIS 157:2020, as amended from time to time. Hydrogen fuel specifications for these vehicles will conform to ISO 14687.
Special-purpose hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be required to meet AIS 157T:2024 standards, with hydrogen fuel specifications continuing to follow ISO 14687.
For both hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in the M category, safety and procedural requirements for type approval will be governed by AIS 206:2024. Fuel specifications will follow ISO 14687 for fuel-cell vehicles and ISO 16061:2021 for hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles.
Amendment takes effect immediately
The ministry said the amended rules will come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
The notification follows a draft proposal issued on March 20, 2026, on which no objections or suggestions were received from the public within the prescribed period.
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