Toyota claims that it continues to focus on the hydrogen technology and promotion of the fuel cell module usage across various sectors to enhance wider adoption and achieve scalability. According to the company, the hydrogen fuel cell module provides energy source to serve various applications which is essentially the key to realise competitiveness and the creation of future sustainable hydrogen society. Further to achieve zero CO2 emissions in more challenging applications, such as trucks and heavy transport, trains, buses, aviation, shipping, forklifts and industrial processes, hydrogen will play an important role. Towards this direction, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), today, announced the supply of its Fuel Cell Module (one unit) to Ashok Leyland to build fuel-cell commercial vehicle in India for proto examination and feasibility study purpose.

When it comes to hydrogen-based electrified vehicle technology, fuel cell module is the heart which powers the hydrogen electric powertrain. Toyota states that given its strong technological capabilities, it intends to move forward in sure-footed steps to promote and enhance the use of fuel-cell modules in India to develop zero carbon emission vehicles.

As per Toyota, its hydrogen fuel cell-based technology can help enable faster shift away from fossil fuels, promoting renewable energy, achieving energy self-reliance and mitigating carbon emissions. Moreover, given India’s energy mix, its unique consumer profile and needs, infrastructure readiness and the government’s diversified efforts towards becoming ‘Atmanirbhar’ in energy by 2047, Toyota claims that it is advancing mobility solutions with greater agility. This is resulting in introducing and supporting multiple clean technology pathways by joining hands with other stakeholders with mutual interests and the aim to contribute to the nation’s carbon neutral targets.

Commenting on the clean mobility initiative, Sudeep S Dalvi, Senior Vice President and Chief Communication Officer of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We are extremely happy to supply hydrogen fuel cell module to Ashok Leyland for building fuel cell commercial vehicle for proto examination and feasibility study purpose. Reducing tailpipe emissions and carbon footprint has always been extremely important for us at Toyota, and we are also committed to contribute towards the national target of energy self-reliance. Globally, the energy industry is working on the technological innovations of carbon-neutral fuels, such as hydrogen and biofuels. Through this initiative, we hope to promote a wider use of hydrogen as a fuel which can help to create a hydrogen society in harmony with nature.”

The Government of India announced the National Hydrogen Mission (NHM) in the Union Budget for 2021-2022. NHM has drawn a roadmap for the usage of hydrogen as an energy source. This mission aims to push for the implementation of hydrogen energy that will drive the country in the right direction of making the best out of the renewable energy sector. Aligning with this, Toyota states that it is enhancing its technological strengths to capitalise on the most abundant elements on earth for a better, safer and cleaner alternative fuel option.

Sharing his views, Dr N Saravanan, Chief Technology Officer of Ashok Leyland, said “Ashok Leyland is excited to collaborate with Toyota Kirloskar Motor to bring their globally renowned and proven fuel cell module system to the commercial vehicle sector in India. Ashok Leyland’s track record in bringing innovative and differentiated products, combined with Toyota’s technology leadership in fuel cells, has created a massive opportunity to conduct proto examination and feasibility study towards decarbonising both goods and people transportation.”

The fuel cell electric vehicles use a propulsion system like that of electric vehicles, where energy stored as hydrogen is converted to electricity by the fuel cell. According to Toyota, these FCEV are fuelled with pure hydrogen gas stored in a tank. Similar to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, FCEVs are equipped with other advanced technologies to increase efficiency, such as regenerative braking systems that capture the energy lost during braking, and store it in a battery.

Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has opened a new dealership for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in Siliguri, West Bengal. With this new facility, which happens to be the fifth LCV dealership in West Bengal, the company now has a robust LCV distribution network with more than 800 touchpoints.

Located at Eastern Bypass Road, SBM Warehouse, Eastern Bypass, Bhaktinagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, the new dealership will be managed by channel partner Happie Trucking. The main workshop facility (service and spares) is also strategically located at Debgram, Ware House, Thakur Nagar, New Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Equipped with advanced tools, quick service bays and sophisticated infrastructure, the facility is all set to ensure superior customer experience.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, said, “We are excited to further strengthen our presence in this region. West Bengal and Eastern India, at large, have been a key market for us. We have always recognised the potential this region has, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in this geography. We have been working on creating a strong foothold in the region, and the new dealership in Siliguri will bolster our presence in this geography. The overwhelming success of our ‘DOST Range’ and now the ‘BADA DOST’ can be attributed to the robustness of our products and the extensive reach of our network. All our products have been receiving great responses from our customers, thanks to their best-in-class mileage and class-leading performance, backed by extensive sales and aftersales support. We are extremely proud that our track record of service retention levels is exemplary, with close to 70 percent of our customers returning to our dealer workshops even after the warranty period. We, as always, would remain committed to maintaining and even enhancing the level of customer service and satisfaction. This new dealership is being opened to further strengthen our reach, in line with our commitment.”

VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), recently hosted Jan Thesleff, the Ambassador of Sweden to India, at its manufacturing facilities in Pithampur. He was accompanied by Markus Lundgren, Counsellor and Head of Trade section, Embassy of Sweden and Sofia Hogman, Swedish Trade Commissioner, Business Sweden.

The CV maker states that its VE Powertrain plant is a successful symbol of India-Sweden collaboration. The facility leverages India’s skilled workforce and technical expertise while positioning VECV as a hub for development and manufacturing that meets global standards. Notably, VEPT has been producing Euro 6 (BS VI) compliant engines since 2013, supplying over 40 countries.

Jan Thesleff said, “Currently, more than 280 Swedish companies operate in India, contributing to sectors ranging from automobiles and communications to healthcare and defence, directly generating over 240,000 jobs. The Eicher-Volvo joint venture exemplifies the strategic benefits of this partnership by harnessing the strengths of Sweden and India and fostering mutual growth and technological advancement. I am thoroughly impressed by the advanced technology products and sustainable manufacturing processes I witnessed today at VECV. Their remarkable achievements epitomise the shared innovation, growth, and sustainable development that Sweden-India partnership continues to deliver for the benefit of both nations.”

Vinod Aggarwal, Managing Director & CEO, VECV, said, “We are honoured to welcome His Excellency Ambassador Jan Thesleff and the team from the Swedish Embassy to our Pithampur facility. Over the past 16 years, the VECV joint venture has not only driven the modernisation of India’s commercial vehicle sector but has also enabled Volvo Group to source world-class engines and components, made in India, for its global requirements. The success of this joint venture is rooted in the principles of trust, mutual respect, and win-win collaboration, combining Volvo Group's technology leadership with Eicher’s deep understanding of the Indian market. VECV looks forward to building on this success in the future”.

At present, the company sells CNG, LNG, electric and diesel trucks and buses in India under the Eicher and Volvo brands.

Manba Finance, a leading non-banking finance company (NBFC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Piaggio Vehicles (PVPL), the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Piaggio Group, to provide tailored financing solutions to Piaggio three-wheeler customers.

As per the understanding, the partners are set to form a dedicated central coordination team to oversee the implementation. They will focus on key areas such as product structuring, interest rate optimisation, resource allocation, centralised communication, and training to ensure the efficient execution and monitoring of the tie-up.

The MoU was signed by Diego Graffi, CMD, Piaggio Vehicles and Monil Shah, CBO & Director, Manba Finance, in the presence of Amit Sagar, EVP of Sales and Retail Finance, and Nilesh Arya, Head of Retail Finance, Piaggio Vehicles.

The partners state that the collaboration comes as electric three-wheeler sales saw a record high of 65,700 units in October. With this electric three-wheelers are just 16,856 units away from surpassing the CY2023 total of 583,597 units.

“We are proud to collaborate with one of India’s leading three-wheeler manufacturers, a trusted brand among aspiring entrepreneurs across the country. This partnership strengthens our footprint in the three-wheeler segment while enabling us to provide seamless digital lending solutions to our customers," said Shah.

German automotive component supplier Mahle has bagged a new contract from MAN Truck & Bus to supply components for the hydrogen engine of its ‘MAN hTGX’ truck.

The hydrogen truck uses a direct-injection engine with 6 cylinders, 16.8-litre displacement, which produces 383 kW power. Mahle will supply the hydrogen power cell unit, consisting of piston, piston rings, piston pin and cylinder liner. It will also supply components to be used in the valve train.

Interestingly, MAN aims to build around 200 units of the hydrogen truck for selected markets from 2025.

Dr Roger Busch, member of the Mahle Management Committee and Head of Sales, said, “Mahle has successfully transferred its 100 years of expertise in engine components into the future. Our state-of-the-art pistons and other parts make the internal combustion engine fit for hydrogen and thus climate-neutral. Today, we are able to fulfil our customers’ expectations in terms of performance, efficiency and service life.”

The component supplier says it has successfully tested its engine components to meet the specific requirements of hydrogen operation.

The company claims that the Mahle hydrogen power cell unit, in particular the oil consumption of the motor and the so-called blow-by, i.e. the leakage of hydrogen gas into the crankcase, can be reduced to a minimum. This enables a robust and failure-free operation of the motor.

Mahle at present is working on around 30 hydrogen engine projects for customers in the on- and off-highway sector, with more series launches from its customers being planned in 2025.