India, while aiming for a rapid transition to electric vehicles (EVs), still heavily relies on crude oil imports, with 87% of the nation’s needs met through imports. A shift towards sustainable mobility requires a strategic economic and environmental transformation. Recognizing this, the government is focusing on alternative fuels, as emphasized by Minister Nitin Gadkari during a recent MOU exchange between Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Ohmium International. Gadkari highlighted the need for a multi-pronged approach, developing facilities for ethanol-blended fuels, biodiesel, compressed biogas, and green hydrogen. The government is making significant progress in each area of sustainable mobility.
The government has already initiated large-scale hydrogen truck trials across key freight corridors, backed by a Rs 500 crore investment under the National Green Hydrogen mission. Green hydrogen is the long-term goal, but ensuring the economics of its development is crucial. Gadkari welcomed innovations producing hydrogen from municipal solid waste, organic matter, and even bamboo plantations. The Ministry is also developing clean fuel technologies, including 20% ethanol fuel blending nationwide, to reduce crude oil prices. The government also plans to support the launch of hybrid cars compatible with ethanol and isobutanol-diesel blends for commercial suitability. Compressed biogas networks in rural areas are also planned. Furthermore, the government has approved 100% ethanol use in flex-fuel vehicles, and is working on new IC retro fitment kits for IC engines to work with Hydrogen and advanced biofuels. The transformation of India’s auto industry has been valued at Rs 22 lakh crore, the third largest in the world.
These details were taken from Nitin Gadkari’s speech at the Toyota and Ohmium partnership ceremony aimed at developing hydrogen power solutions in India. Toyota will leverage its expertise in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles to support sustainable fuels. Under the new MOU, TKM would supply advanced fuel cell modules and offer system integration and technical consultations. Ohmium, a leader in PEM hydrogen electrolyzer technology, will design and evaluate the performance of hydrogen-driven microgrid prototypes. These partnerships will advance hydrogen applications and support the ‘Make in India’ initiative.