This paper provides an analysis of hydrogen safety requirements using India as a case study. India, similar to many other emerging markets, offers many great opportunities for hydrogen technologies. The Indian government has announced an ambitious hydrogen plan that is trying to capitalize on India’s rapidly growing transportation market and mature gas distribution infrastructure. But, before hydrogen vehicles can flourish in India, hydrogen vehicle safety standards need to be developed.

Literature is reviewed on hydrogen safety developments world-wide and analyzed with respect to the Indian market. Potential gaseous safety concerns are identified from India’s experience with CNG fuel. Opportunities and challenges for Indian vehicle manufacturers with respect to hydrogen safety are analyzed: Mahindra & Mahindra, Ltd, a leading automotive manufacturer with one of the first running hydrogen vehicles in India and an ambitious hydrogen program in the pipeline, is used as a case study. Based on the results from the case study and literature review recommendations are made with respect to safety standards that need to be developed and measures that need to be taken in India to transition HCNG, HICE, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles into the market according the Indian government’s plan. The material and methodology in this paper can be extended to promote effective hydrogen safety standard development in other emerging markets, especially those with high concentrations of CNG vehicles.