PLEA Network

27 September 2018, The Driven, World’s first hydrogen train takes to rails in Germany. The world’s first hydrogen train has started service in Germany, connecting several cities in the north of the country. Made by train manufacturer Alstom, the Coradia iLint hydrogen train represents the company’s wish to provide a cheap eco-friendly alternative to diesel, that can run without the need to electrify the lines. Two of the trains will be in service in the Lower Saxony region of Germany, having been developed to use fuel cells to produce electricity from hydrogen. Operated on behalf of the transport company LNVG, the two brand new trains were put into service on September 17 in order to replace the current diesel fleet of the railway company EVB. On a full tank,  the trains will be able to operate for 1,000 kilometres, the company stated in a press release, allowing them to operate without refuelling for the whole day. Alston CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge describes this is a “revolution”, not only for the company but for the future of public transport. “The Coradia iLint heralds a new era in emission-free rail transport. It is an innovation that results from French-German teamwork and exemplifies successful cross-border cooperation,” he says. The hydrogen currently used by the trains is referred to as “gray” hydrogen – that is, it is derived from by-products of the chemical industry through highly CO2 emitting processes. Alstom’s vision, however, is to eventually use hydrogen produced by 100% renewable means, via electrolysis. Read more here