In a significant step towards India’s clean energy transition, Hyundai Motor India has partnered with IIT Madras to launch a state-of-the-art hydrogen innovation hub in Chennai, aiming to develop a fully localised hydrogen ecosystem that will shape the future of green mobility in the country. This ₹100-crore HTWO Innovation Centre, situated at the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras, marks Hyundai’s commitment to building a hydrogen value chain while aligning with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and decarbonisation goals.
The collaboration will focus on nurturing start-ups, supporting research initiatives, and enabling end-to-end hydrogen solutions specifically adapted for India’s mobility and energy sectors. This initiative aims to position India at the forefront of global hydrogen technology by connecting academia, industry, and government efforts in a unified push for clean transportation and energy solutions.
Building a hydrogen ecosystem tailored for India
Hyundai Motor India, known for its advanced automotive offerings, is taking a forward-looking approach to embed hydrogen fuel technology within India’s energy landscape. Gopal Krishnan C S, full-time director and Chief Manufacturing Officer at Hyundai Motor India, underlined the company’s vision, stating that the centre will foster localisation of hydrogen technologies while encouraging start-ups to develop solutions tailored for India’s unique conditions.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles, which provide zero emissions and higher fuel efficiency, are poised to play a pivotal role in India’s clean mobility goals. As hydrogen technology evolves, Krishnan emphasised the need to address market challenges, ensure adaptability to customer needs, and support the evolving energy market dynamics in India.
Motto Iype Thomas, Regional Director of Sales for India, Middle East, and Africa, highlighted hydrogen’s efficiency advantages, explaining that hydrogen vehicles can deliver up to three to four times the mileage of CNG-powered vehicles, significantly enhancing the practicality of hydrogen as a sustainable mobility alternative in India.
IIT Madras and Hyundai’s blueprint for hydrogen technology deployment
The HTWO Innovation Centre is set to become a collaborative hub that will bring together IIT Madras’ research strengths and Hyundai’s global expertise to build a dynamic, scalable hydrogen ecosystem. Professor V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, shared that within two years, the centre aims to conduct a test run of a hydrogen-powered car from Chennai to Kanniyakumari, with only one fuel stop in Trichy. This demonstration will not only showcase the viability of hydrogen-powered transport in India but will also serve as a confidence booster for the industry to explore large-scale hydrogen vehicle deployment.
The partnership will focus on creating an environment where innovative start-ups and research projects can thrive while developing cost-effective and scalable hydrogen solutions across the value chain, from production and storage to distribution and vehicle deployment. The initiative will also contribute to India’s vision of reducing its carbon footprint, improving air quality in urban areas, and achieving energy independence through domestic hydrogen production.
Hyundai’s HTWO Innovation Centre is designed to act as a catalyst for research and development while ensuring real-world implementation of hydrogen technologies in the transportation and energy sectors. By leveraging IIT Madras’ academic depth and Hyundai’s technological leadership, the initiative aims to align with India’s broader sustainability agenda and push the country towards becoming a hub for hydrogen innovation in the coming years.
