Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, is one of the country’s most forward-thinking politicians. The minister is also well-known for his attempts to increase the number of alternative-fuel automobiles in the country.
Notably, the MoRTH minister has been seen driving around in some of the country’s most expensive electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. His vehicles change on a regular basis, and the minister was recently rumoured to have purchased a brand-new Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric crossover.
It was recently reported that the minister arrived at the occasion in his new Hyundai Ioniq 5 for the launch of the all-new Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP). Prior to the introduction of this new all-electric crossover, the minister was seen driving about in a Toyota Mirai Hydrogen-powered vehicle.
It has now been claimed that the minister gave the sedan to Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Tejashwi Yadav. Tejashwi Yadav was recently seen getting into this vehicle. The minister further claimed that Nitin Gadkari Ji, the Union Minister, had given him this hydrogen-powered car to test.
About Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV
Hyundai Motor India, the South Korean automotive giant, released the new Ioniq 5 EV crossover in India earlier this year. This new crossover was introduced by the firm with a starting price of Rs 44.95 lakh. The EV crossover has a retro-futuristic design with distinguishing all-LED headlamps and a pixelated pattern for the LED tail lights. Sharp lines, steeply sloped windscreens, and smooth surfaces give the Ioniq 5 an SUV-like attitude. The Ioniq 5’s other design highlights include 20-inch aero-optimized alloy wheels with a turbine-like appearance.
In India, the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 is available with only one drivetrain option. The model is powered by a single motor and is rear-wheel drive. The electric motor produces 217 horsepower and 350 Newton-meters of torque. It is powered by a 72.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. This battery supports 800V quick charging and can charge the Ioniq 5 from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes, giving it a reported range of 631 km on a single charge.
Toyota Mirai Hydrogen-Powered Sedan
Toyota Kirloskar India debuted the Mirai fuel cell electric car in India in March 2022, with MoRTH Minister Nitin Gadkari in attendance. The new car made its public debut as part of a trial programme with the International Centre for Automotive Technology, or ICAT. Toyota’s Karnataka plant manufactures the second-generation Mirai in India. The Mirai is hydrogen-powered; it creates electricity and drives the car with compressed gas. When completely charged with hydrogen, the Mirai has a range of 646 km.
A high-pressure hydrogen fuel tank is standard on the Mirai. The powertrain turns hydrogen into water and oxygen to generate power. The energy is stored in a small battery and used to power the motor. The battery is 30 times smaller than that of a standard electric vehicle. Nitin Gadkari launched a pilot programme to create awareness about hydrogen and FCEVs.