Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is well-regarded for his progressive stance on alternative-fueled vehicles in India. His commitment to sustainable transportation solutions has earned him a reputation as one of the country’s forward-thinking politicians. Gadkari has been known to frequently switch his cars, opting for the latest electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Most recently, he added a brand-new Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric crossover to his collection.
The Union Minister made a notable entrance at the launch event of the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) in his new Hyundai Ioniq 5. Prior to acquiring this all-electric crossover, Gadkari was often seen in a Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen-powered sedan. In a surprising move, he has now gifted the Mirai to Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Tejashwi Yadav, who was recently spotted inside the hydrogen-powered car. Gadkari stated that he offered the car to Tejashwi Yadav for testing purposes.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 made its debut in India earlier this year, introduced by Hyundai Motor India. This electric crossover came with a starting price of Rs 44.95 lakh. Notably, the Ioniq 5 features a unique retro-futuristic design with distinctive all-LED headlights and pixelated LED tail lamps. Its aesthetic is defined by sharp lines, a sloping windshield, and flat surfaces, giving it an SUV-like appearance. Additionally, the Ioniq 5 boasts 20-inch aero-optimized alloy wheels with a turbine-inspired design.
In terms of powertrain options, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is offered in India with a single-motor configuration and rear-wheel drive. The electric motor delivers 217 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, paired with a 72.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. Notably, this battery supports rapid charging at 800V and can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, providing an impressive range of 631 kilometers on a single charge.
In March 2022, Toyota Kirloskar India launched the Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in India. The launch event was attended by Minister Nitin Gadkari, marking the debut of the Mirai as part of a pilot program with the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT). Produced in Karnataka, India, the second-generation Mirai is powered by hydrogen, converting it into electricity to drive the vehicle using compressed gas. The Mirai offers an impressive range of 646 kilometers when fully charged with hydrogen.
The Mirai features a high-pressure hydrogen fuel tank, with the powertrain converting hydrogen into water and oxygen to generate power. A small battery stores this energy, significantly smaller than traditional electric vehicle batteries. Nitin Gadkari inaugurated this pilot initiative to raise awareness about hydrogen and FCEVs.
