New Delhi, March 16 (Agency) In order to promote carbon neutral transportation in the country, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday launched India’s first Hydrogen based advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle,(FCEV) at his residence in New Delhi. The project has been initiated by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd and International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) on a Pilot basis to study and evaluate the world’s most advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) ‘Toyota Mirai’ which runs on hydrogen, on Indian roads and climatic conditions. Addressing the media, Nitin Gadkari said, “This 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.”
Calling it a win- win situation in the field of green and affordable energy future for India, the Minister said , “Green Hydrogen can be generated from renewable energy and abundantly available 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”. “Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), powered by Hydrogen is one of the best Zero Emission solutions. It is completely environment friendly with no tailpipe emissions other than water” he added. Recalling the Prime Minister’ call to make India green hydrogen hub, he said, “It is an important initiative which will promote clean energy and environmental protection by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and thereby make India ‘Energy Self-reliant’ by 2047”.
Union Minister for Power RK Singh, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and Minister for Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey, MD Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd. Masakaszu Yoshimura, VC Vikram Kirloskar were also presented during the event. Talking about the project, Union Minister for Power RK Singh said the government is passionate about energy transition and today’s launch is one such example to move towards green and sustainable energy. “Our per Capita, emissions are one thirds of the world average and our energy consumption is also 1/3 of world average despite that India has the fastest rate of growth in Renewable energy in the world that is because our government takes environment seriously”. He said the LED programme alone has resulted in reduction in CO2 emissions of 113 million tones every year.