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India Launches Nationwide Hydrogen Mobility Pilot with Minister's Toyota Mirai Drive

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 8:08 GMT by The New Indian Express

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India Takes a Bold Leap Into Hydrogen Mobility: The Minister’s Toyota Mirai Drive Marks the Start of a National Pilot

On a crisp December morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Parliament building became the stage for a quiet yet pivotal moment in India’s clean‑energy journey. Minister Pralhad Joshi of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, accompanied by a delegation of officials and journalists, drove a gleaming Toyota Mirai—one of the world’s first mass‑produced hydrogen fuel‑cell vehicles—straight into the heart of the nation’s legislative hub. The act was not merely a ceremonial demonstration; it was the official launch of India’s first nationwide hydrogen mobility pilot program, a project that could redefine the country’s transportation landscape over the next decade.

Why Hydrogen? A Strategic Shift Toward Clean Transport

India’s transportation sector accounts for roughly 23% of national greenhouse‑gas emissions, a figure that has climbed steadily as the country’s GDP grows. While electric vehicles (EVs) have dominated the conversation, experts argue that hydrogen fuel‑cell technology can fill gaps where batteries falter—long‑haul freight, heavy‑duty buses, and commercial fleets that require rapid refueling and long ranges. Hydrogen also offers the advantage of decoupling the vehicle from the electricity grid, enabling vehicles to be powered by green hydrogen produced from renewable sources, thus achieving “truly clean” mobility.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has previously outlined India’s National Hydrogen Mission, which envisions a $150‑billion hydrogen economy by 2040. The pilot program is an essential first step toward realizing that vision, testing real‑world viability, and generating the data required to build robust infrastructure.

The Pilot: Scope, Partnerships, and Infrastructure

Scale and Timeline

• Cities Involved: Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, the three metropolitan hubs chosen for their existing EV infrastructure and high traffic densities.
• Fleet Composition: 50 Toyota Mirai cars, 30 Nissan Leaf hybrid electric vehicles, and a small cohort of hydrogen‑powered buses.
• Duration: 18‑month trial, from January 2026 to June 2027, with a follow‑up assessment slated for mid‑2028.

Key Partnerships

• Toyota Motor Corporation: The Japanese automaker’s Mirai will serve as the flagship vehicle, offering a proven hydrogen fuel‑cell platform. Toyota’s participation includes on‑site technical support, data sharing, and a co‑branding agreement to promote hydrogen adoption.
• State Governments: The governments of Delhi, Karnataka, and Maharashtra will provide land for hydrogen refueling stations, facilitate regulatory approvals, and contribute to the capital expenditure for infrastructure.
• Private Sector: Companies such as Air Liquide, Hyundai Motor India, and local startups (e.g., H2 India, Green Fuel Solutions) are slated to supply hydrogen generation units and distribution pipelines.
• Academic Institutions: IIT Bombay and NIT Trichy will conduct research on safety protocols, fuel cell efficiency, and lifecycle emissions.

Infrastructure Plan

• Hydrogen Refueling Stations: 10 new stations across the three cities, each with a 50‑kg storage capacity and the ability to supply up to 500 kg of hydrogen per day.
• On‑Site Production: Two stations will incorporate electrolysis units powered by solar PV, producing green hydrogen on demand.
• Safety and Compliance: All stations will adhere to the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s (MoEFCC) hydrogen safety guidelines, which include robust leak detection systems and emergency response protocols.

Minister Pralhad Joshi’s Message and Vision

During the drive, Minister Joshi emphasized the dual importance of the pilot: “Hydrogen is not a futuristic concept; it’s a practical solution that fits our unique geography and energy mix,” he said. He highlighted the need for a multi‑pronged strategy that includes not just vehicle deployment but also hydrogen production, distribution, and end‑of‑life recycling.

Joshi also underscored the pilot’s role as a catalyst for public‑private partnership (PPP). “This is a collaborative effort,” he remarked, “that brings together government support, industrial innovation, and community engagement.”

From the Road to the Ring: The Toyota Mirai’s Technical Highlights

The Toyota Mirai that drove into Parliament is a 2025‑model, featuring:

• Fuel Cell System: 1.6 kW fuel cell stack with a 5‑kg hydrogen storage tank, providing a range of ~500 km per fill.
• Power Output: 122 hp, with regenerative braking to improve efficiency.
• Zero‑Emissions: The only by‑product of the fuel cell reaction is water vapor, making it an attractive alternative to battery EVs in certain use cases.
• Safety: Dual-layer hydrogen containment, automatic shut‑off valves, and compliance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 13222-1 for hydrogen safety.

The Mirai’s performance metrics—fuel consumption of 4–5 kg/100 km, a refueling time of under 5 minutes, and an operating cost of ₹3–4 per 100 km—were showcased during a live demo in front of the parliamentary assembly.

Challenges Ahead and Mitigation Strategies

While the pilot has clear benefits, several hurdles must be overcome:

1. Hydrogen Production Costs: Current electrolysis technology remains expensive. The pilot will employ a mix of green (solar‑powered) and blue (natural gas with carbon capture) hydrogen to balance cost and sustainability.
2. Infrastructure Funding: The government’s allocation of ₹5,000 crore (≈$640 million) will be supplemented by private investments and international development loans, with a cost‑sharing model of 60% public, 40% private.
3. Public Perception: Misconceptions about hydrogen safety require public awareness campaigns. The pilot will host community outreach programs, including school visits and media coverage.
4. Regulatory Lag: To accelerate deployment, the government has drafted a new “Hydrogen Infrastructure Act” to streamline permitting and standardize safety protocols.

Looking Forward: Beyond the Pilot

If the pilot proves successful, India’s next phase will involve scaling hydrogen stations to 200 units by 2030, integrating hydrogen with the national power grid, and encouraging domestic hydrogen vehicle production. The ministry is also exploring collaborations with neighboring countries to create a regional hydrogen corridor along the Indian Ocean.

The minister’s drive in the Toyota Mirai was more than a symbolic gesture; it was a declaration that India is ready to experiment, learn, and potentially lead the world in hydrogen mobility. Whether the pilot will ignite a nationwide shift or serve as a cautious experiment remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the 2025 launch marks a pivotal moment—an experiment that could bridge the gap between India’s ambitious climate targets and the practical realities of a clean, sustainable transportation future.