The hydrogen, aka “hydrail,” train was presented at InnoTrans 2016, the transportation industry’s leading international trade fair, held September 20-23.
The 300-passenger train is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and emits nothing but steam and condensed water. This means of locomotion is much quieter and an eco-friendly alternative to diesel trains currently in use in Germany, according to Alstrom’s press release.
The train is capable of speeds of up to 87 miles per hour and has a hydrogen storage capacity capable of a 497-mile range. The train uses onboard lithium batteries to store excess energy.
CityLab points out that the train’s fuel source is actually carbon neutral because the hydrogen fuel comes from the chemical industry and other manufacturers waste byproducts. “Typically, this hydrogen is simply burned, so using it to power trains would not place any new, additional burden on the environment,” CityLab wrote.
As Alstrom points out, there are a number of rail electrification projects already underway in several European countries. But a significant part of Europe’s rail transportation will remain diesel-powered for the long term — at least, until options like the Coradia iLint become more widespread and affordable.
According to German publication Die Welt, testing of the Hydrail train is to be carried out by the end of the year, and based on successful results, the passenger train will be open to the public on the Buxtehude-Bremervörde-Bremerhaven-Cuxhaven line in the German state of Lower Saxony in December 2017.
Letters-of-intent to purchase the “hydrail” trains have already been signed with North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg and the Public Transportation Authorities of Hesse. The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway have also expressed interest in the trains, according to the Independent.
“Alstom is proud to launch a breakthrough innovation in the field of clean transportation which will complete its Coradia range of regional trains. It shows our ability to work in close collaboration with our customers and develop a train in only two years,” declared Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Alstom Chairman and CEO.
