Minister Nitin Gadkari gets a new Hyundai Ioniq electric SUV: Gives Hydrogen powered Toyota Mirai to Bihar Deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav

Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, stands out as one of the nation’s most forward-thinking politicians. The minister is also renowned for his efforts in increasing alternative-fueled vehicles in the country. Notably, the MoRTH minister has been seen being driven around in some of the most expensive electric and hydrogen-powered cars in the country. His cars get changed ever so often, and most recently, it has been reported that the minister has got himself a brand-new Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric crossover.

#WATCH | Delhi: On the hydrogen car given by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav says, "This is a Hydrogen car, Union Minister Nitin (Gadkari) asked me to try it." pic.twitter.com/x2ijCYrwZ1

— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2023

Recently, it was reported that for the launch of the all-new Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP), the minister arrived at the event in his new Hyundai Ioniq 5. Prior to this new all-electric crossover, the minister was spotted being driven around in a Toyota Mirai Hydrogen-powered sedan. It has now also been reported that the minister has given this sedan to Bihar’s Deputy CM, Tejashwi Yadav. Recently, Tejashwi Yadav was seen getting inside this sedan. The minister also stated that the Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari Ji, has given him this hydrogen-powered car to test.

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Hyundai Ioniq 5

Earlier in January of this year, the South Korean automotive giant, Hyundai Motor India, launched the new Ioniq 5 EV crossover in India. The company launched this new crossover with a starting price of Rs 44.95 lakh. The EV crossover boasts a retro-futuristic look and features distinct-looking all-LED headlamps and a pixelated theme for the LED tail lamps. The Ioniq 5 gets sharp lines, highly raked windshields, and flat surfaces, giving it an SUV-like stance. Additional design highlights of the Ioniq 5 include 20-inch aero-optimized alloy wheels with a turbine-like design.

The new Hyundai Ioniq 5 has been launched in India with a single drivetrain choice. The model features a single-motor layout and a rear-wheel drive configuration. The electric motor generates 217 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. It comes paired with a 72.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. This battery supports 800V rapid charging and can charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes, providing the Ioniq 5 with a stated range of 631 kilometers on a single charge.

Toyota Mirai Hydrogen-Powered Sedan

Toyota Kirloskar India launched the Mirai fuel cell electric car in India in March 2022, with the presence of MoRTH Minister Nitin Gadkari. The new vehicle debuted as part of a pilot program with the International Centre for Automotive Technology, or ICAT. Toyota’s facility in Karnataka produces the second-generation Mirai in India. The Mirai is powered by hydrogen; it generates electricity and drives the car using compressed gas. The Mirai has a range of 646 km when fully charged with hydrogen.

The Mirai comes equipped with a high-pressure hydrogen fuel tank. To create power, the powertrain converts hydrogen into water and oxygen. A tiny battery stores the energy and utilizes it to power the motor. The battery is 30 times smaller than in normal electric vehicles. Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the pilot initiative to raise awareness about hydrogen and FCEVs.

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