Press release- Press Information Bureau, 11 December 2025
India has taken a significant step forward in developing clean mobility with the launch of a pilot project to evaluate hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on Indian roads. On December 11, 2025, the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, formally inaugurated the initiative under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the National Institute for Solar Energy (NISE) and Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM). As part of the collaboration, Toyota’s Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) was handed over to NISE for real-world testing across diverse Indian conditions, including heat, dust, traffic and varied terrain — with evaluation scheduled to continue for the next two years.
Fuel cell vehicles like the Mirai generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapour, making them a zero-emission alternative to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles. The Mirai’s second-generation platform offers an approximate range of 650 km and refuelling in under five minutes, highlighting its potential for practical use in daily transport. Officials said the pilot is a key step in India’s clean energy transition and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, providing valuable insights that could accelerate adoption of hydrogen-based mobility solutions.
At the event, Shri Joshi emphasised that green hydrogen is poised to become a backbone of future energy systems, and that the partnership with Toyota reflects a strong commitment to sustainable, low-emission transportation. The testing will not only assess vehicle performance but also help build technical capability and confidence among industry, researchers and policymakers. Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, reinforced this by noting the initiative’s contribution to India’s broader goals of energy self-reliance, reduced pollution and long-term sustainable growth.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s leadership also emphasised their support for India’s green mobility ambitions, saying that hydrogen technologies will play a pivotal role in helping the country meet its net-zero commitments and energy independence objectives. The pilot is expected to help chart a roadmap for future hydrogen mobility solutions in India’s emerging clean transport ecosystem.
