Germany has inaugurated the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train service. Coradia iLint trains, constructed by the French company Alstom, are presently in operation in Lower Saxony, Germany.
According to the company, its trains only emit steam and water and make very little noise. It began with five trains and plans to add nine more next month, replacing a fleet of 15 diesel-powered locomotives.
Alstom says that these trains have a 1000-kilometer range and can travel all day without needing to be recharged.
The firm has established hydrogen fuel stations in the area of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervorde, and Buxtehude.
The firm plans to extend its service throughout Germany, France, and Italy. Initially, a fleet of 27 hydrogen-powered trains will be introduced in the Frankfurt metropolitan region.
Despite electrification efforts, the bulk of Europe’s rail network depends on non-electrified trains, according to the company.
It highlighted that over 4,000 diesel-powered automobiles contribute a significant amount of pollution in Germany alone.
The country’s railway operator, Deutsche Bahn, said in 2020 that it will construct a hydrogen-powered train.
The company emphasises that hydrogen-powered locomotives are a first step in the right way, considering that widespread adoption of electric trains throughout the continent would take time.
