India is looking towards promoting clean energy methods for a sustainable future. The goal is to make India ‘Energy Self-reliant’ by 2047 by reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.
In a big step towards achieving this goal, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on 16 March launched the world’s most advanced technology – Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Toyota Mirai, in India. This is a first of its kind project which aims to create a Green Hydrogen based ecosystem in the country.
What is Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle?
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), powered by hydrogen, are one of the best clean energy alternatives used in vehicles. They are more efficient than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and produce no tailpipe emissions while only emitting water vapour and warm air.
FCEVs use a propulsion system similar to that of electric vehicles, where energy stored as hydrogen is converted to electricity by the fuel cell.
How is this technology more advanced than EVs?
In contrast to electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles are equipped with regenerative braking systems to capture the kinetic energy normally lost during breaking and store it in the battery. This allows FCEVs to significantly increase efficiency as compared to various other alternatives.
FCEVs use fuel cell stacks to convert onboard gaseous hydrogen to electricity, which is then stored in a battery to power the vehicle’s electric motor.
Toyota Mirai – a first of its kind project in India
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd and the International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) are collaborating on a Pilot Project to test and assess the world’s most advanced, hydrogen-based, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) called Toyota Mirai, on Indian roads and weather.
This is India’s first project of its sort, with the goal of establishing a Green Hydrogen-based ecosystem by raising awareness about the benefits of Green Hydrogen and FCEV technology.
Non-conventional fuels including green hydrogen are the way forward, and because of this Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are one of the best Zero-Emission solutions for a sustainable future.
Why Green Hydrogen?
Green hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. It 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. It is a critical enabler of the global transition to sustainable energy and net-zero emissions economies.
