Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday launched India’s first green hydrogen-based advanced fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), Toyota Mirai. However, the hydrogen-powered sedan is introduced in the country as a part of a pilot project that is being conducted by the International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) along with Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. Moreover, to study and evaluate the Toyota Mirai on Indian roads and climatic conditions.
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched the pilot project for the Mirai hydrogen-based advanced fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). As per him, it is the first-of-its-kind project in India that aims to create an ecosystem for such vehicles in the country
Toyota Kirloskar Motor claimed that Toyota Mirai is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell battery pack. It can provide a range of up to 600 km in a single charge, with a refuelling time of five minutes. The Hydrogen breaks down into electricity which powers the sedan. However, the only residue left is water from the Mirai’s tailpipe. The pilot project aims to provide hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles for commercial purposes in the country.
The pilot project will help the government ascertain the reliability of hydrogen fuel cell-powered EVs in the country. Moreover, it can be a substitute for petrol and diesel vehicles along with regular battery-powered electric vehicles. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) will be supplying Hydrogen for the vehicle.
In an official statement, the road transport ministry claimed India to use cleaner energy and a low-carbon pathway. The major goal is to achieve accelerated economic growth, according to the statement. It had said hydrogen is a key element of the energy strategy. Thus it will play a key role in the low-carbon energy pathways.
