Centre pushes clean mobility through hydrogen fuel cell vehicle

New Delhi: Signalling the Centre’s push for green hydrogen and clean mobility, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday took a joint ride in a Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in the national capital.

Joshi drove the Mirai from Bharat Mandapam to Gadkari’s residence, underlining the government’s commitment to advancing zero-emission transport solutions, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said in a statement.

The Toyota Mirai, a second-generation hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle, generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapour as a by-product. With a driving range of around 650 km and a refuelling time of less than five minutes, it is considered among the world’s most advanced zero-emission mobility solutions.

The demonstration comes amid India’s broader push to scale up green hydrogen production. The country’s green hydrogen capacity is expected to reach 5 million metric tonnes per annum by 2030 under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which aims to position India as a global hub for the production, use and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

Highlighting steps to bring down costs, the minister outlined incentives and manufacturing initiatives under the mission. Under the electrolyser manufacturing incentive scheme, 15 companies have been awarded a total manufacturing capacity of 3,000 MW per annum, with incentives amounting to Rs 4,440 crore. Separately, 18 companies have been granted incentives for a cumulative green hydrogen production capacity of 8.62 lakh tonnes per annum.

In addition, two companies have been awarded incentives for producing 20,000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen for refineries. To further improve project viability, the government has also provided exemptions from interstate transmission system charges for 25 years for green hydrogen plants commissioned on or before December 31, 2030.

The joint ride, officials said, reflects the government’s intent to integrate green hydrogen into India’s future mobility and energy landscape while accelerating the transition to cleaner fuels.