Gadkari rolls out Toyota's green hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle

Stressing that the government's target is to make India an exporter of green hydrogen in the future, union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday rolled out Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Toyota Mirai.

Toyota Mirae was one of the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, launched in 2014. The company has now launched the second generation of the vehicle, with a 30% increase in the range. A fuel cell uses the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity without harmful emission. The vehicle claims a 650 km range.

According to the transport ministry, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd and International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) are conducting a Pilot Project to study and evaluate the world's most advanced FCEV Toyota Mirai, on the Indian roads and climatic conditions. This is a first of its kind project in India which aims to create a green hydrogen based ecosystem in the country by creating awareness about the unique utility of green hydrogen and FCEV technology.

While launching the vehicle, Gadkari said, "Hydrogen made from petroleum is called brown hydrogen, while that from petrol is black hydrogen. But our current environmental needs require us to use green hydrogen."

"It is just the beginning. Once this car gets rolled out, green hydrogen stations would need to be opened across cities. This is an indigenous fuel - our imports are currently 8 trillion rupees, if things go like this, it will rise to 25 trillion. So we need a cost effective, indigenous solution," said Gadkari.

"Green hydrogen costs $6-7per kilo, and this car runs 153 kilometres in that. It is our endeavour to bring the cost down to $1. Even if it is slightly higher than that, it will be more cost effective than any other fuel," Gadkari added.

"Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), powered by Hydrogen is one of the best Zero Emission solutions. It is completely environment friendly with no tailpipe emissions other than water," a transport ministry release said later.