Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), in collaboration with IIT Madras and Guidance Tamil Nadu, unveiled the design of its Hyundai HTWO Innovation Centre—an advanced research and development facility dedicated to green hydrogen technology. The upcoming 65,000 sq. ft. centre, to be located within the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras at Thaiyur, Chennai, marks a significant milestone in Hyundai’s ₹100 crore commitment to foster hydrogen innovation and sustainability in India.
Unveiled by Thiru. T.R.B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu, the facility will serve as a hub for advanced computational labs, pilot-level test rigs, and containerised demonstrators for industrial-scale hydrogen products, stated the company. Developed in part through HMIL’s CSR arm, Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the initiative underscores the company’s vision to power India’s clean energy transition.
Unsoo Kim, MD of HMIL, said, “This initiative reflects Hyundai’s commitment to ‘Make in India’ and our long-term vision to build scalable, affordable, and sustainable hydrogen solutions for the future.”
Collaborative Platform for National Hydrogen Goals
The HTWO Innovation Centre is developed in part through HMIL’s CSR arm, Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF). It is designed to be a collaborative platform uniting industry, academia, R&D institutions, and policymakers. Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, emphasised the centre’s role in contributing to India’s Net Zero targets by 2070, calling it a cornerstone for “Atmanirbhar Bharat in the hydrogen sector.”
Aligned with the Government of India’s energy independence vision for 2047, the centre aims to develop digital twins of hydrogen infrastructure, improve electrolyser and fuel cell technologies, and enable pilot-scale evaluations. The facility also seeks to bridge talent gaps by nurturing a skilled hydrogen workforce and expanding the hydrogen value chain through public-private partnerships.