Toyota Mirai to Undergo Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Testing in India Under TKM-NISE MoU

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in New Delhi. As part of this agreement, TKM handed over the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle to NISE for a detailed performance study. The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and other government officials.

NISE will examine how the Mirai operates in daily Indian use. The study will look at fuel efficiency, driving range, vehicle behaviour in traffic, refueling patterns and performance on varied terrains. It will also assess how the vehicle handles dust, heat, winter conditions and other environmental factors common across India.

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Addressing the exchange ceremony Pralhad Joshi, Union Cabinet Minister of New and Renewable Energy and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India, said, “India's shift to cleaner energy is now moving from planning to actual implementation. The MoU between the National Institute of Solar Energy and Toyota Kirloskar Motor, along with the handover of a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle for testing, is an important step forward for our National Green Hydrogen Mission. These partnerships are essential for building our domestic capacity and moving closer to energy independence and carbon neutrality.”

The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle that creates electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen inside a fuel-cell stack. The vehicle emits only water vapour. It offers an estimated range of about 650 km and can be refueled in under five minutes, making it suitable for long-distance use if hydrogen infrastructure is available.

The testing programme will provide data on the Mirai’s suitability for Indian mobility needs and contribute to research under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Insights from the study may support future decisions on hydrogen-based vehicles and refueling networks.

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Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor stated, "We are fully committed to a multi-pathway approach that integrates hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, strong hybrid electric vehicles, and alternative fuel technologies. This partnership with the National Institute of Solar Energy and the handover of the Toyota Mirai for testing reaffirm our dedication to supporting India's Green Hydrogen mission and accelerating the nation's transition toward future mobility that is powered by green & indigenous energy sources. We believe hydrogen fuel-cell technology, alongside other sustainable technologies, will play a pivotal role in helping India achieve its net-zero commitments and energy independence objectives."