BENGALURU (India CSR): Reinforcing its commitment to Carbon Neutrality and clean energy innovation, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based Ohmium International, a leading PEM hydrogen technology provider, to co-develop Green Hydrogen-based integrated power solutions in India. This strategic undertaking highlights Toyota’s pivotal role in fuel cell technology and advancing Green Hydrogen as the clean fuel of the future. It highlights the company’s relentless efforts to foster a robust Hydrogen economy across mobility and stationary applications.
National Energy Goals
India has set an ambitious goal to become energy independent by 2047 and achieve net zero emissions by 2070. To meet these targets, increasing the use of renewable energy across all economic sectors is central to the nation’s energy transition. Green Hydrogen is emerging as a promising alternative to support this shift. It offers potential for long duration renewable energy storage, replacement of fossil fuels in industry especially for hard to abate sectors, clean transportation and decentralised power generation. In alignment with this vision, the Government of India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023, aimed at building a robust Hydrogen economy, underpinned by local investments and R&D for self-reliance. Aligning with this vision, TKM has been at the forefront of advancing clean energy efforts, guided by its global Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050. This MoU marks one of the significant steps toward realizing the full potential of Hydrogen in support of India’s energy transition roadmap.
Collaboration Scope Defined
This collaboration aims to leverage the complementary capabilities of the two parties— Ohmium, a PEM hydrogen technology company specializing in modular, cost-effective and scalable PEM electrolyzers for Green Hydrogen production and Toyota, a leader in fuel-cell technology striving towards sustainability in various Hydrogen applications. Together, both the parties will assess the feasibility of integrated, Green Hydrogen- driven power solutions such as the microgrid, which can be applied across diverse use cases like datacentres, far-away locations sensitive to environmental restrictions etc., thereby supporting India’s national energy transition goals.
Roles and Responsibilities
As a part of the initiative, TKM will offer technical expertise, system integration support, and supply fuel cell modules. Ohmium will lead the design, development, and performance evaluation of the microgrid solution prototype. The joint effort seeks to develop clean energy solutions that are efficient, viable and scalable, thereby well suited to India’s evolving energy landscape.
Hydrogen Mobility History
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has been a pioneer in driving India’s Hydrogen journey—steadily advancing from early mobility pilot projects to varied clean energy solutions. As the first company to bring its globally renowned Hydrogen-based Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) to the country, TKM launched the Toyota Mirai demonstration project in 2022 in collaboration with iCAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology), a government automotive testing agency. This landmark initiative was not just a technology showcase but serves as a support towards creating hydrogen ecosystem by evaluating real-world performance, raising public awareness, and generating valuable data for feasible hydrogen applications. In continuation of its efforts, TKM has also collaborated with the Government of Kerala to carry out an FCEV feasibility study, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable Hydrogen-led pilot initiatives across India.
Expanding Hydrogen Applications
Building on this momentum, during early 2023, TKM exchanged a MoU supplying Fuel Cell Module (FCM) to Ashok Leyland to support the development of prototype commercial vehicles powered by Hydrogen. These initiatives reflect Toyota’s intent to expand the application of hydrogen technology beyond passenger mobility, reinforcing its role as one of the key contributors to the country’s clean energy.
Strategic Ecosystem Development
TKM’s newly inked collaboration with Ohmium represents a strategic step-up in its journey—broadening the focus from mobility to Hydrogen-based power generation and its ecosystem development. By fostering such joint initiative with high-potential Indian technology players, TKM is actively advancing the spirit of ‘Make in India’—translating global know-how into locally relevant, eco-friendly solutions tailored to the nation’s energy needs.
Long-Term Hydrogen Vision
These successive initiatives—from the Mirai FCEV pilots to the FCM module supply and now this clean energy collaboration—reflect TKM’s long-term commitment to building a hydrogen-based society in India. One that seamlessly integrates hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and wider end-use, while also aligning with India’s renewable energy ambitions. At its core, this vision is about building for the future—through innovation, co-creation, and localization.
Ministerial Endorsement Highlighted
Commenting on this important milestone, Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways – Government of India, stated, “Hydrogen, as a clean and renewable energy source, is regarded as the fuel of the future- a key to building a self-reliant and carbon-neutral India. In this direction, the Government of India has been undertaking several progressive initiatives, fostering innovations across the energy and transportation ecosystems. Notably, numerous industry leaders, start-ups and researchers are unlocking new opportunities in the hydrogen space, aiming to drive sustainability across multiple domains. The adoption of strategic approaches to harness hydrogen’s full potential will be crucial in ensuring a clean, affordable, and source energy future for the nation.
Leadership Encouragement Shared
It is particularly encouraging to witness corporates and technology pioneers actively contributing to the development of scalable, indigenous hydrogen solutions that align with national priorities and the vision of a greener, more sustainable tomorrow. And I commend Toyota and Ohmium for making strong efforts with cleaner energy options through advanced hydrogen-led capabilities, aligning with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.”
Government Support Reinforced
Present during the MoU Exchange, Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – Government of India, said, “Initiatives that foster and promote scalable, home-grown solutions are essential to accelerating India’s transition to a low-carbon economy. In this regard, diverse sectoral industries will play a pivotal role in realizing the goal of building a self-reliant green hydrogen ecosystem by 2030. Their innovative capabilities and localized solutions will form the backbone of India’s energy transition. The National Green Hydrogen Mission envisions India as a global leader in clean energy innovation and its deployment. To achieve this vision, it is imperative to strengthen domestic capabilities across the hydrogen value chain. Strategic collaborations such as this, between Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Ohmium, have the potential to significantly accelerate the progress towards a hydrogen-powered green energy future.”
Delhi Government Endorsement
Commenting on TKM & Ohmium MoU Exchange, Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Hon’ble Minister of Industries, Food & Supplies, Environment Forest and Wildlife, Government of NCT of Delhi, said, “As India continues to take strong strides in environmental leadership, initiatives like these reinforce our commitment to sustainable transformation at the grassroots. Green hydrogen presents a promising solution to reduce air pollution, drive industrial decarbonization, and enable the development of cleaner, future-ready ecosystem. The collaboration between Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Ohmium is a significant step forward—combining global innovation and local expertise to co-create scalable, green energy solutions. Such partnerships are essential to building sustainable industrial zones and pollution-free society, in line with our vision for a greener, healthier India.”
Ohmium Perspective Shared
Sharing his thoughts, Ahmad Chatila, Ohmium Board Chaiman, said, “We are privileged to collaborate with Toyota Kirloskar Motor to integrate our locally manufactured electrolyser technology with their advanced fuel cell systems. This collaboration supports India’s Hydrogen economy goals and demonstrates our commitment to a greener future with cleaner air, better public health, and resilient, secure infrastructure.”
Toyota Leadership Remarks
Speaking at the occasion, Manasi Tata, Vice Chairperson – Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota, our commitment to a carbon-neutral future extends beyond clean mobility. Green hydrogen is a vital part of this vision—not only for transportation but also its production, distribution, and diverse end-use applications. Through this collaboration with an innovative PEM technology player like Ohmium, we are not only advancing Hydrogen applications but also reinforcing our support for the country’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. By co-developing locally relevant hydrogen solutions, we aim to empower India’s energy transformation and contribute meaningfully to the hydrogen ecosystem.”
Corporate Planning Outlook
Expressing his thoughts, Swapnesh R. Maru, Deputy Managing Director, Corporate Planning, Green Field Project – Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), said, “India stands at a transformative juncture in its clean energy journey, with a clear vision to achieve energy independence and long-term sustainability. At TKM, we are happy to contribute meaningfully to this future by adopting a multi-pathway approach. This allows us to diversify our environmental efforts and move with speed and at scale towards achieving carbon neutrality, in alignment with our national objectives. In this direction, our collaboration with Ohmium goes ‘Beyond Mobility’ – it’s a shared commitment to contributing towards the creation of a Hydrogen-powered India that is self-reliant, resilient, inclusive, and future-ready. Guided by our deep respect for the planet, we see hydrogen not just as a fuel, but as a catalyst to usher in sustainability across mobility, energy and industry sectors. By integrating global expertise with India-focused innovation, we are proud to be delivering environment friendly solutions, fostering happier paths together.”
Alternate Energy Showcase
Furthermore, in August 2023, TKM demonstrated its commitment to sustainable innovation with the unveiling of the world’s first BS 6 (Stage II) Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle prototype, built on the Innova Hycross platform with higher ethanol-blend capability in combination with strong hybrid electric powertrain, thereby realise enhanced fuel efficiency and low carbon emission-yet another milestone in Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to decarbonization.
Innovation Commitment Continues
As a responsible corporate entity, TKM will continue to drive its efforts and contribute to progressive innovations by promoting and disseminating sustainable technological advancements in its journey towards becoming a true mobility company.
(India CSR)
