Hyundai Motor India is taking a significant step forward in the advancement of hydrogen technology with the establishment of a dedicated Hydrogen Innovation Centre at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras’ Thaiyur campus. With an investment of Rs 180 crore, this state-of-the-art facility is set to bolster research in hydrogen technology and promote the adoption of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy source in the mobility sector.
The foundation stone for the Hydrogen Innovation Centre was laid by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin during the Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave, which took place earlier in the day in Chennai. The facility, which will span 65,000 square feet, is expected to be operational by 2026 and marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between Hyundai Motor India Ltd., the state government-backed investment promotion agency Guidance Tamil Nadu, and IIT Madras.
The establishment of the Hydrogen Innovation Centre is part of Hyundai Motor India’s broader strategy to position Tamil Nadu as a hub for automotive innovation, particularly in the field of alternate fuels. The centre will focus on advancing hydrogen technology through the development of electrolysers for green hydrogen generation, localisation of manufacturing and supply chain processes, and the establishment of a fuel cell test station. Additionally, the facility will host pilot demonstrators utilising electrolysers and fuel cells, further supporting the transition to hydrogen mobility.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, expressed the institute’s commitment to driving technological and innovative advancements in India. “IIT Madras has been at the forefront of India’s transformation into a technology and innovation superpower. This partnership with Hyundai Motor India Ltd and Guidance Tamil Nadu to develop a dedicated research facility for hydrogen mobility is a significant step in creating breakthrough innovations in the field,” he said.
The Hydrogen Innovation Centre is poised to catalyse hydrogen technology innovations, providing a robust ecosystem for startups, researchers, and industry leaders to collaborate and push the boundaries of what is possible in the hydrogen mobility space.
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Gopalakrishnan Chathapuram Sivaramakrishnan, Whole-time Director and Chief Manufacturing Officer of Hyundai Motor India Ltd., reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting Tamil Nadu’s vision of building a sustainable ecosystem. “Hyundai Motor India Ltd remains committed to being a strategic partner in the Tamil Nadu Government’s vision of building a sustainable ecosystem for the transition towards alternate fuels. We are hopeful that the upcoming Hydrogen Innovation Centre will accelerate hydrogen mobility adoption in Tamil Nadu,” he said.
As the world increasingly turns to sustainable energy solutions, the Hydrogen Innovation Centre at IIT Madras promises to play a pivotal role in India’s transition to a hydrogen-based economy, paving the way for a cleaner, greener future in the automotive and energy sectors.
