As the world confronts the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, the transportation sector is undergoing a profound transformation. Governments and businesses are increasingly investing in alternative fuel technologies to meet ambitious sustainability targets. While electric vehicles (EVs) have made significant progress in recent years, challenges such as limited range, long refuelling times, and the high cost of infrastructure continue to hinder widespread adoption—particularly in the commercial sector. This is where hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) present a compelling alternative. FCEVs offer longer ranges, faster refuelling times, and greater payload capacities, making them an ideal solution for industries such as logistics, public transport, and freight. As the sector pivots towards cleaner energy, hydrogen-powered transport is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mobility.

Pursuing this shift is Tvisi Motors, a forward-thinking company that is at the forefront of hydrogen fuel cell technology for commercial vehicles. Founded by Mr. Swapnil Sawant, Tvisi Motors is committed to revolutionising the transport sector with its range of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and cutting-edge software-defined vehicle systems. These innovations are designed to address the unique challenges faced by fleet operators, offering a more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective way to manage commercial transport. By forming strategic partnerships with industry leaders and technology innovators, Tvisi is not only advancing hydrogen mobility but also helping to drive the widespread adoption of cleaner transportation solutions across the globe.
In this case study interview, Tvisi Motors’s team shares insights into its founding, technological innovations, and strategic partnerships, revealing how the company is shaping the future of sustainable transportation through hydrogen-powered solutions.
Questions from Foresight Media team
What is the origin story for Tvisi Motors, how did it begin?
Tvisi Motor’s Team
“Mr. Swapnil Sawant, the CEO and Founder of Tvisi Motors Limited, began his journey in the automotive sector by working with major OEMs in India. His passion for advancing transportation led him to the UK, where he pursued an MSc in Automotive Engineering at Coventry University. Post-graduation, he gained valuable experience working with several EV startups across the UK, North America, and India.
In early 2023, Mr. Sawant reconnected with Coventry University's Enterprise Hub and, along with his co-founder and CTO – an expert with over eight years of experience in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle development – founded Tvisi Motors Limited. The company was initially incubated at Coventry University.
Recognizing the importance of having the right fuel cell system partner, Tvisi Motors engaged with manufacturers worldwide, seeking a system that was technologically mature, cost-effective, and had minimal lead time. By late 2023, Tvisi Motors signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies to integrate their fuel cell systems into Tvisi’s vehicles. The CTO’s prior hands-on experience with Horizon's systems provided an additional layer of confidence and expertise.
In early 2024, Tvisi Motors collaborated with Mr. Sergey Malygin, CEO of soda.auto, to co-develop Software-Defined Hydrogen Vehicles. This partnership enabled Tvisi to integrate advanced software-defined vehicle technologies into their hydrogen solutions.
As Tvisi Motors expanded, a senior manufacturing engineer from a leading UK-based commercial electric vehicle company joined as Co-founder and COO. This pivotal addition brought global connections, strategic collaborations, and operational expertise to the team. Partnerships such as Frugal Sourcing were established to streamline component sourcing and logistics.
The company also partnered with Beyond Steel, led by Mr. Ryan Smith, based in Silverstone, UK. Together, they developed a composite lightweight body structure for Tvisi's fuel cell electric vans. Beyond Steel also facilitated connections with an Indian Tier 1 OEM for manufacturing and supplying composite body panels and aggregates.
Tvisi Motors’ innovative approach and strong vision earned it places in prestigious accelerator programs like the NatWest Accelerator and the Clean Transport Accelerator, powered by the University of Warwick and Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG). These programs provided invaluable resources and mentorship to the young company and its first-time founders.
A breakthrough came when Tvisi Motors was approached by a French commercial electric vehicle manufacturer, facilitated through soda.auto, to develop hydrogen range extender (H2 REX) solutions for their electric light commercial vehicles. This led to a three-way MoU to design, develop, and supply H2 REX kits.
Later, during the EuroBus Expo, Tvisi Motors engaged with fleet companies operating battery electric vans. These companies expressed dissatisfaction with the limited range of their fleets and showed strong interest in Tvisi’s H2 REX kits. They were particularly intrigued by the potential of a trial program, provided hydrogen supply was easily accessible.
As a result, Tvisi Motors expanded its product portfolio to include the H2 REX kit and is now preparing for its first pilot trials within the next 3-4 months.
From identifying a critical gap in commercial transportation to building a robust network of collaborations and partnerships, Tvisi Motors has remained steadfast in its mission to revolutionize hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. The company is poised to lead the transition to cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable commercial road transportation solutions”
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What led Tvisi Motors to choose hydrogen fuel cell technology, and how does it set you apart from other electric vehicle companies?
Tvisi Motor’s Team
“Hydrogen fuel cell technology was selected for its operational advantages, particularly in the commercial transportation sector. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) offer faster refueling times, longer range, and higher payload capacities compared to battery-electric vehicles, which are essential for fleet operations. What sets Tvisi Motors apart is its dual approach: offering fuel cell electric vans as its main product, while also providing the H2 REX kit to retrofit existing battery-electric vehicles with hydrogen range extenders, making the transition to hydrogen more affordable and accessible.”
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Your vehicles are "Software Defined Hydrogen Vehicles." How does this technology change the driving experience, and what benefits does it offer consumers and the automotive industry?
Tvisi Motor’s Team
“Tvisi Motors’ software-defined hydrogen vehicles are powered by technology developed in collaboration with Soda Auto. This approach enables real-time optimization and remote management of vehicle systems, ensuring enhanced efficiency, performance, and reliability. Over-the-air updates and real-time diagnostics are key features of this technology, providing consumers with a smarter, more personalized driving experience. For the automotive industry, software-defined vehicles allow for rapid deployment of new features and innovations, reducing maintenance costs and improving vehicle lifecycles.”
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How do hydrogen fuel cell vehicles perform compared to electric vehicles, especially for commercial use, in terms of cost and consumer adoption?
Tvisi Motor’s Team
“Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles outperform battery-electric vehicles in several areas critical for commercial use. FCEVs offer longer range, faster refueling, and higher payload capacities, making them ideal for fleets that require high utilization and minimal downtime. The main challenge to consumer adoption is the initial investment in hydrogen infrastructure, but Tvisi Motors addresses this with its H2 REX kits that retrofit existing electric vehicles, offering a more affordable pathway to adopting hydrogen fuel cell technology. Over time, as hydrogen infrastructure expands, FCEVs will become more competitive with battery-electric vehicles.”
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What challenges have you faced so far with Tvisi Motors, and how have you addressed them in terms of technology, culture, and infrastructure?
Tvisi Motor’s Team
“Tvisi Motors has faced challenges in scaling hydrogen infrastructure, reducing manufacturing costs, and changing industry perceptions of hydrogen technology. These challenges have been addressed through strategic collaborations, including working with Soda Auto for the development of software-defined vehicle technology and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies as its fuel cell partner. These partnerships help to advance Tvisi’s technological capabilities and improve its product offerings. Additionally, Tvisi fosters a culture of innovation and agility, allowing it to remain responsive to industry needs and trends.”
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Is there an issue with the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles?
Tvisi Motor’s Team
“The widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles faces barriers such as the high cost of hydrogen infrastructure, limited refueling stations, and public skepticism. However, Tvisi Motors is helping to address these challenges by offering the H2 REX kits, which retrofit existing electric vehicles with hydrogen range extenders, making the transition to hydrogen more accessible for fleet operators. As infrastructure improves and governments increase support for hydrogen, adoption will grow, with Tvisi playing a key role in driving this change.”
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Looking toward the future, how do you envision the role of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the global transition to sustainable transportation, and what steps is Tvisi taking to stay ahead of industry trends and accelerate this transition?
Tvisi Motor’s Team
“Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be a crucial component in the transition to sustainable transportation, particularly in sectors requiring long-range and heavy-duty capabilities, such as logistics and public transportation. Tvisi Motors envisions hydrogen complementing battery-electric vehicles to create a more flexible and comprehensive solution for sustainable transport. Tvisi is staying ahead of industry trends by collaborating with key partners like Soda Auto for software-defined vehicles and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies for cutting-edge fuel cell technology. Through participation in accelerator programs like the Clean Transport Accelerator powered by the University of Warwick and NatWest Group, Tvisi is positioning itself as a leader in the hydrogen mobility space, driving forward the adoption of cleaner, more efficient transportation.”
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As we move towards a more sustainable future, Tvisi Motors is positioning itself as a key player in the hydrogen fuel cell revolution. The company’s focus on hydrogen-powered vehicles, combined with its commitment to advancing software-defined technologies, offers a compelling vision for the future of commercial transportation. By addressing the limitations of current electric vehicle infrastructure and offering retrofitting solutions like the H2 REX kit, Tvisi is making the transition to hydrogen more accessible for businesses and fleet operators. With a robust network of partnerships, a forward-thinking approach to technology, and a clear commitment to sustainability, Tvisi Motors is well-placed to lead the charge in transforming the transportation sector. As hydrogen infrastructure continues to evolve, Tvisi's role in shaping a cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly transport ecosystem is set to become even more critical.
To hear more from Tvisi, please join us @ Foresight Hydrogen Live 2025 in Liverpool on Feb 5th and 6th.
