India Strengthens Hydrogen Economy with Hyundai-IIT Madras Innovation Centre

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Guidance Tamil Nadu, has revealed the design of the Hyundai HTWO Innovation Centre. This new research and development facility will focus on advancing green hydrogen technology and supporting India’s transition to a clean energy future.

Located within IIT Madras’ Discovery Campus at Thaiyur in Chennai, the centre is envisioned as a national hub for hydrogen innovation. Developed with the support of the Government of Tamil Nadu, the facility aims to accelerate research across the hydrogen value chain—from production and storage to end-use applications in mobility and power.

The announcement marks a significant milestone in HMIL’s INR 100 crore investment towards green hydrogen research in India. Part of this funding is being channelled through Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) under its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Spanning 65,000 square feet, the centre will house advanced laboratories and digital infrastructure to simulate hydrogen systems, test electrolyzers and fuel cells, and build containerised demonstrators for industrial-scale deployment. Facilities will include customised test rigs and digital twin capabilities for pilot-level evaluations.

Focus on Local Innovation and Sustainability
Speaking at the unveiling event, Thiru T.R.B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu, lauded the initiative as a model for India’s innovation potential. He emphasised the role of Tamil Nadu as a driver of technological advancement, stating that the region is poised to become not only the manufacturing capital but also the research and development capital of Asia.

“Tamil Nadu is already the auto, electronics, and technology capital of India. With this centre, we are pushing the boundaries to lead in hydrogen research,” the Minister said. “The Hyundai HTWO Innovation Centre is a crucial step toward indigenous hydrogen production and sustainable growth.”

Strengthening the Green Hydrogen Ecosystem
Unsoo Kim, Managing Director of HMIL, highlighted Hyundai’s long-term commitment to sustainability and its role in building a hydrogen-powered future for India. “This facility represents our vision for an open platform that encourages collaboration across academia, industry and government. It strengthens our support for Make in India and promotes scalable, affordable hydrogen technologies,” he said.

The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s vision for energy independence by 2047 and the national decarbonisation goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.

Academic-Industry Collaboration for a Clean Energy Future
IIT Madras Director, Prof. V. Kamakoti, underscored the academic community’s role in advancing hydrogen R&D. “This centre will bring together global stakeholders in the hydrogen sector, including academia, industry, and policymakers. It represents a key step toward making India self-reliant in hydrogen technologies,” he said.

The centre will also support capacity building and skills development to create a highly trained hydrogen workforce, in line with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat missions.

Distinguished Guests and Industry Support
The event was attended by representatives from academia, government and industry, including Chang-nyun Kim, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai; Gopalakrishnan CS, Chief Manufacturing Officer at HMIL; JW Ryu, Function Head at HMIL; Dr. Ashish Lele, Director of CSIR National Chemical Laboratory, Pune; and several senior faculty and researchers from IIT Madras.

Rooted in Hyundai Motor Group’s HTWO brand, the centre will support collaboration, investment, and partnership across the hydrogen sector. Its development represents a key step toward establishing a robust and localised hydrogen economy in India.