Hyundai and Indian Oil Join Forces to Test Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles in India

Gurugram — Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has partnered with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IndianOil) to explore the feasibility of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) for mass adoption in India. The collaboration marks a significant step toward developing a sustainable hydrogen mobility ecosystem in the country.

Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Hyundai handed over its NEXO hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle to IndianOil to begin a two-year on-road trial. The initiative aims to assess the vehicle’s durability and performance under Indian driving conditions over a projected 40,000 km, alongside a detailed Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis. This will help determine the operational and maintenance costs involved in simulating private vehicle usage.

“This MoU reflects our commitment to future-ready mobility solutions,” said Unsoo Kim, Managing Director of HMIL. “By joining hands with IndianOil, we aim to make green hydrogen an accessible and sustainable energy option. This collaboration is a key step in realizing the potential of hydrogen-powered transport in India.”

IndianOil echoed Hyundai’s vision, highlighting the strategic importance of hydrogen in the country’s clean energy roadmap. “Hydrogen fuel and fuel cell technology are critical to achieving India’s net zero goals,” said Dr. Alok Sharma, Director (R&D) and Board Member at IndianOil. “Our partnership with Hyundai will help generate real-world insights to advance the adoption of hydrogen mobility.”

The initiative also ties into HMIL’s broader strategy to support the development of India’s green hydrogen sector. The automaker is working with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) to establish a Hydrogen Innovation Centre, a hub for startups and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to test and develop hydrogen technologies.

With capabilities spanning ICE, CNG, Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, Electric, and Hydrogen propulsion, Hyundai is positioning itself as a global leader in next-generation mobility. Through this latest collaboration, HMIL and IndianOil aim to pave the way for a cleaner, more energy-secure future for India.

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