The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has launched the Toyota Mirai, a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) fuelled by green hydrogen. Toyota Kirloskar Motor and the International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) have begun conducting a pilot project to evaluate the Toyota Mirai on Indian roads and climatic conditions.

Union Minister Hardeep Puri, Union Minister RK Singh, Union Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey, Masakazu Yoshimura, VC, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Vikram Kirloskar, Chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor were also present at the launch.

According to officials, it 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.

In a series of tweets, Gadkari said that this is an important initiative which will promote clean energy and environmental protection by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and thereby make the country 'Energy self-reliant' by 2047. The FCEVs powered by hydrogen is amongst one of the best zero emission solutions. It is completely environment friendly with no tailpipe emissions other than water. He added that green hydrogen can be generated from renewable energy and is abundantly available in biomass. Introduction and adoption of technology to tap into the green hydrogen’s potential will play a key role in securing a clean and affordable energy future for India.