Pralhad Joshi arrives in a hydrogen fuel cell car in Parliament

New Delhi: Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday drove a hydrogen fuel cell electric car, Mirai, manufactured by Japanese automaker Toyota, to the Parliament to showcase advanced hydrogen mobility.

The minister also launched the Pilot Project for Field Trials on the Use of Hydrogen in the Mobility Sector.

Hailing the introduction of hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) as a transformative step in shaping India's clean future, the Minister underlined that green hydrogen is emerging globally as the backbone of future energy systems.

"Drove the Toyota Mirai, powered by hydrogen, to the Parliament. The ride was incredibly smooth, silent and comfortable, and with zero emissions, this vehicle demonstrates the transformative potential of hydrogen mobility in shaping India's clean future," Joshi said in a post on X.

On the hydrogen-powered vehicle, he said.

"This car, Mirai, has been developed by Toyota. The word Mirai means 'Future'... This vehicle is a zero-emission vehicle and is noise-free. This car is powered by Hydrogen and only emits water vapour."

The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) will undertake a comprehensive real-world evaluation under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Toyota on the use of hydrogen in the mobility sector.

Under the MoU, the NISE will conduct an extensive assessment of Mirai in diverse road conditions, including heat, dust, traffic congestion and varied terrain.

Speaking at the occasion, Union Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said real-world testing of FCEV technology, such as the Toyota Mirai, demonstrates India's rapid movement from policy to experimentation and further towards commercialisation of hydrogen-based mobility solutions.