New Delhi: India advanced its clean transport transition with the launch of a pilot project to test hydrogen use in the mobility sector. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi described the initiative as a major step that strengthens India’s long-term focus on Green Hydrogen. The programme supports future-ready transport systems. As part of the project, Toyota handed over its Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle to the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) for real-world evaluation.
Green Hydrogen mobility pilot aims to advance large-scale clean transport readiness
The Minister said Green Hydrogen is emerging as a backbone of global energy systems. He added that it will play a central role in driving India’s clean mobility goals. Moreover, collaborations involving industry, research institutions and government reinforce “Energy Aatma Nirbharta.” These efforts also align with India’s Panchamrit climate targets. The Toyota Mirai, described by the Minister as “a new chapter for sustainable mobility,” reflects India’s aspiration for a greener transport ecosystem.
Under the MoU, NISE will evaluate the Mirai across varied Indian conditions. Tests will cover heat, dust, traffic and terrain. Over the next two years, the study will generate insights for nationwide hydrogen mobility scale-up. Consequently, it will help build confidence among industry, academia and policymakers. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emit only water, and they are gaining global use in cars, buses, trucks, ships, trains and stationary systems.
Driving the hydrogen vehicle personally, the Minister aimed to demonstrate confidence in its suitability for Indian roads. He praised Toyota Kirloskar Motor for its commitment to carbon neutrality. Additionally, he appreciated NISE for its leadership. Minister of State Shripad Yesso Naik said India is moving quickly from policy to experimentation. He noted that the country is progressing toward commercial adoption of hydrogen mobility under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Officials from MNRE, NISE and Toyota attended the launch event.
