Asia's hydrogen dreams: Region bets on emerging green technology to improve transportation

TOPSHOT - A man takes a selfie with the Indian Railways' hydrogen-powered train after its flagging-off ceremony at Pandu Pindara railway station in Haryana's Jind city on July 17, 2026. India launched its first hydrogen-powered train July 17, joining a small group of nations testing the technology as part of efforts to decarbonise rail transport and cut dependence on fossil fuels. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP via Getty Images)Arun Sankar | Afp | Getty ImagesA swath of Asian governments is trying to get ahead of the curve on hydrogen-powered transport.While the technology is years or even decades away from commercial success, its potential as a sustainable energy source has countries like India, Japan, China and South Korea working to establish programs to try it out.The motivations vary. Japan's push is part of its hydrogen society roadmap, while South Korea's reflects conglomerates' focus on integrated industrial hydrogen ecosystem that may include rail, according to Ravi Krishnaswamy, managing director at Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific. China is building its fuel-cell supply chain for export competitiveness, while India is focusing on low-cost rail retrofits in line with its na...