New Delhi

In a symbolic push towards India’s clean energy-driven mobility transition, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday drove a hydrogen-powered car, underscoring the Centre’s focus on green technologies.

Sharing a video of the drive on social media platform X, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said he accompanied Joshi during the short ride, with the renewable energy minister at the wheel.

Congratulations to Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Shri @JoshiPralhad Ji on adopting a Hydrogen Car. I had the pleasure of joining him for a short drive in this remarkable vehicle, which truly reflects the future of clean mobility. Hydrogen will play a crucial role in… pic.twitter.com/WteFB26ikx

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) January 6, 2026

“Congratulations to Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Shri @JoshiPralhad Ji on adopting a Hydrogen Car. I had the pleasure of joining him for a short drive in this remarkable vehicle, which truly reflects the future of clean mobility. Hydrogen will play a crucial role in India’s energy transition, and I encourage citizens to embrace such green innovations as we move towards a net-zero future,” Gadkari posted.

A strong proponent of alternative fuels, Gadkari himself owns a hydrogen-powered vehicle and, in March 2022, became the first Union Minister to drive such a car into Parliament. He had also launched the Toyota Mirai, a green hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), that year.

India is promoting hydrogen mobility as part of its broader strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and achieve energy self-reliance by 2047. FCEVs emit only water vapour and are considered among the most environment-friendly transport solutions.

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The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) is currently evaluating Toyota Mirai under Indian conditions. Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2025, NISE and Toyota Kirloskar Motor will conduct a two-year assessment of the vehicle across diverse terrains, climatic conditions and traffic environments to support the scale-up of hydrogen mobility nationwide.