In a powerful demonstration of India's green energy ambitions, two senior Union Ministers took a joint ride in a futuristic hydrogen-powered car in the heart of the capital. On Tuesday, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari embarked on a symbolic journey in a Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
A Symbolic Drive for a Sustainable Future
The event was designed to put a spotlight on hydrogen-based mobility solutions. Pralhad Joshi personally took the wheel, driving the striking blue Toyota Mirai from the Bharat Mandapam to Nitin Gadkari's residence in New Delhi. The drive, conducted amid tight security and attended by officials, served as a tangible endorsement of the technology. Photographs from the event captured Minister Joshi stepping out from the driver's seat, while a smiling Gadkari stood beside the vehicle, which prominently bore the words "Powered by Hydrogen" on its side.
Officials present clarified that the key objective was to raise public awareness about hydrogen fuel-cell technology and its critical role in India's long-term clean energy strategy. This demonstration aligns perfectly with the government's aggressive promotion of green hydrogen as a future fuel, especially for the transportation and industrial sectors, under the ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission.
How the Toyota Mirai Leads the Zero-Emission Charge
The vehicle at the center of this demonstration, the Toyota Mirai, is a second-generation FCEV and ranks among the world's most advanced zero-emission cars. Its technology fundamentally differs from conventional battery-electric vehicles. Instead of relying on a large battery pack that needs recharging, the Mirai generates its own electricity on-board through a chemical reaction between stored hydrogen and oxygen from the air.
The only byproduct of this process is water vapour, making it a truly clean alternative to petrol and diesel engines. Addressing two major hurdles of current electric mobility, the Mirai boasts an impressive range of approximately 650 kilometres on a full tank and can be refuelled in less than five minutes—comparable to the time taken to fill a conventional car's fuel tank.
Government's Clear Roadmap for Green Hydrogen
The ministers' ride was far more than a photo opportunity; it was a statement of intent. By personally experiencing and promoting the technology, Joshi and Gadkari reinforced the Centre's commitment to diversifying India's clean transportation portfolio. The move underscores a strategic push to develop the entire green hydrogen ecosystem—from production and storage to distribution and consumption—within the country.
This public display is a significant step in building confidence among investors, automakers, and the public in hydrogen as a viable and practical solution for reducing carbon emissions. It signals that the government is serious about exploring all avenues, including cutting-edge FCEV technology, to achieve its sustainable transport and energy security goals.
