India launched a pilot project to test hydrogen fuel-cell technology on its roads, with the handover of the second-generation Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) to the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) for a two-year real-world evaluation under diverse Indian conditions.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi formally unveiled the initiative on December 11, 2025, describing it as a major milestone in India’s clean transport roadmap.
The Mirai, which means “Future” in Japanese, symbolises India’s commitment to a sustainable and zero-emission mobility ecosystem, according to a ministry note. The collaboration between Toyota Kirloskar Motor and NISE was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the launch event.
The Toyota Mirai is a second-generation hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle that generates electricity onboard through a chemical reaction between hydrogen stored in its fuel tank and oxygen from the air, emitting only water vapour as a by-product. The vehicle offers an estimated driving range of approximately 650 kilometres and can be refuelled in under five minutes, making it one of the world’s most advanced zero-emission mobility solutions.
Under the pilot agreementNISE will conduct comprehensive field testing across India’s varied road conditions, including extreme heat, dust, traffic congestion and diverse terrain.
The two-year study will generate critical insights to support nationwide scaling of hydrogen mobility, while building awareness, confidence and technical expertise among industry, academia and policymakers.
The ministry note further stressed that the project aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2023 with an outlay of Rs 19,744 crore. The mission aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen per annum by 2030.
Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said the pilot reflects India’s rapid progression from policy formulation to real-world experimentation and eventual commercialisation under the hydrogen mission.
WATCH: Pralhad Joshi drives Toyota Mirai to Parliament
Following the launch event, Joshi personally drove the Mirai to Parliament. “Drove the Toyota Mirai, powered by Hydrogen, to the Parliament today,” the union minister tweeted, “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.”
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