India has taken a step forward in testing hydrogen-based transport solutions as the National Institute for Solar Energy (NISE) and Toyota Kirloskar Motor commenced real-world trials of a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, marking a transition from policy articulation to field-level validation under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, who launched the pilot, has said the initiative represents an important milestone in assessing the feasibility of hydrogen mobility in Indian operating conditions. The project involves a two-year evaluation of the fuel cell vehicle to study its performance across heat, dust, traffic congestion and varied terrain.
The government has been positioning green hydrogen as a future pillar of India’s energy system, particularly for segments where battery-based electrification faces limitations. Joshi said collaboration between a public research institution and an automobile manufacturer would help generate operational data required to assess scalability, while supporting energy self-reliance and India’s climate commitments.
The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle produces electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapour. With a driving range of about 650 km and refuelling time of under five minutes, the technology is being evaluated globally for applications requiring longer range and faster turnaround, even as infrastructure availability and cost remain challenges in India.
NISE will assess parameters such as efficiency, durability and system reliability under Indian road and climatic conditions, with findings expected to inform future policy design, standards and infrastructure planning.
Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik added the pilot reflects India’s movement from policy formulation to experimentation and early commercial pathways. Referring to the National Green Hydrogen Mission launched in January 2023, he said collaboration between government, industry and research institutions would be critical in advancing hydrogen-based mobility solutions.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor has said the pilot aligns with its commitment to supporting India’s clean energy transition, adding that hydrogen fuel-cell technology would complement other clean mobility options as India works towards its net-zero and energy independence goals.
