Hyundai and Indian Oil's Collaboration for Hydrogen Cars in India
Key Ideas
  • Hyundai and Indian Oil are partnering to test hydrogen-powered cars in India, aiming to reduce pollution and promote cleaner fuels.
  • The initiative involves testing Hyundai's NEXO SUV for 2 years/40,000 km to assess performance, running costs, and maintenance feasibility for the Indian market.
  • The collaboration also includes the establishment of a Hydrogen Innovation Centre with IIT Madras to advance hydrogen technology and facilitate testing for startups and companies.
  • If successful, the adoption of hydrogen cars could lead to a significant reduction in emissions and pave the way for a pollution-free future of driving in India.
Hyundai has teamed up with Indian Oil in an effort to introduce hydrogen-powered cars to the Indian market as part of the country’s strategy to combat pollution and embrace cleaner energy sources. The collaboration involves the testing of Hyundai's NEXO SUV, a hydrogen-powered vehicle, by Indian Oil for a duration of 2 years or 40,000 km to evaluate its performance, operational costs, and maintenance requirements. By studying the viability of hydrogen cars in the Indian context, the initiative aims to determine the affordability of such eco-friendly vehicles for Indian consumers. In addition to the vehicle testing, Hyundai and Indian Oil are collaborating with IIT Madras to establish a Hydrogen Innovation Centre. This center will play a crucial role in advancing hydrogen technology and provide a platform for startups and companies to conduct testing and research in this field. The development of this center signifies a proactive approach towards fostering cleaner transportation solutions in India. Hyundai's NEXO, already available in select global markets, operates on a hydrogen fuel cell that produces electricity by combining oxygen with compressed hydrogen. The vehicle's only emission is water, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petrol and diesel-powered vehicles. The convenience of quick refueling, with the capability to drive over 600 km on a single fill-up, further enhances the attractiveness of hydrogen cars. Key figures from Hyundai and Indian Oil have expressed optimism about the partnership. Unsoo Kim, Managing Director of Hyundai Motors India Ltd., highlighted the goal of leveraging Hyundai's global hydrogen technology in conjunction with India's energy expertise to promote green hydrogen as a sustainable and cost-effective solution. Alok Sharma, the Director of R&D at IndianOil, emphasized the significance of hydrogen fuel in India's transition towards cleaner energy and underscored the collaboration's role in advancing fuel cell technology for greener transportation.
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