As the global rail industry races to decarbonize non-electrified lines, hydrogen-powered trains have emerged as a powerful, emissions-free alternative to diesel. Germany, often seen as the pioneer with its Coradia iLint fleet, continues to press forward—but not without hurdles. Other countries—from Italy and France to the US and South Korea—are joining the hydrogen rail revolution. This article explores the latest developments, challenges, and visionaries steering the movement toward cleaner rail networks.
“By 2035, around 15 to 20 percent of the regional European market could run on hydrogen,” says Alexandre Charpentier, rail expert at Roland Berger.
Germany: A Pioneering, Yet Cautious Leader
Germany launched the world’s first commercial hydrogen passenger train in 2018, with the Alstom Coradia iLint entering service in Lower Saxony. By 2022, the entire Bremervörde line utilized hydrogen traction over 100 km, operated by a fleet of 14 trains.
Key Updates:
- Technical setbacks: In Hesse, RMV withdrew 18 Coradia units in early 2025 due to repeated fuel-cell failures and spare-parts shortages
- Next-generation fuel cells: Alstom is set to release upgraded systems by late 2025 to remedy durability issues.
- Siemens Mireo Plus H rollout: In 2025–26, hydrogen-powered Mireo Plus H trains will serve Bavaria’s Mühldorf–Burghausen and Berlin–Brandenburg lines, with ranges up to 1,200 km and speeds of 160 km/h—replacing diesel for good.
- Incentives: Germany’s €74 million program subsidizes 40–60% of additional costs over diesel, stimulating fleet uptake.
“These trains will save 1.1 million liters of diesel per year and reduce CO₂ emissions by 3,000 tons,” says a Siemens spokesperson about Mireo Plus H.
Despite technical hurdles, Germany remains the focal point for hydrogen rail innovation, building a roadmap for scaling this technology—while also integrating dedicated hydrogen infrastructure under its planned 9,700 km hydrogen pipeline network.
Europe-wide Momentum
Germany’s early lead has inspired broader European adoption:
- Italy: A €367 million project in Lombardy will introduce 14 Alstom Coradia units in Valcamonica by 2026. On-site electrolysers will produce green hydrogen—avoiding costly electrification over mountainous terrains €450 million would cost.
- France: SNCF ordered 12 dual-mode electro-hydrogen Coradia Polyvalent EMUs for regional lines; testing starts in 2024, with service planned by 2025.
- Spain/Portugal: The Fch2Rail EU project piloted a bimodal CAF–Toyota prototype, logging 10,000 km in trials—while results are promising, long-term viability remains under review.
- UK: The Class 314 hydrogen conversion and new Aventra-based Class 600 units are progressing to support non-electrified routes.
- Netherlands, Austria, Sweden: Additional test routes for iLint trains confirm growing interest across Europe.
Beyond Europe: Global Hydrogen Rail Highlights
Hydrogen trains are also advancing outside Europe:
- North America: California’s ZEMU, built by Stadler, is North America’s first hydrogen passenger train. It started service in early 2025 on the Southern California Arrow Corridor. “What we have done with Zemu is transformational,” said SBCTA President Ray Marquez. The success has spurred orders from Caltrans for additional units by 2027.
- North America freight: Chevron, Caterpillar, Canadian Pacific and others are advancing hydrogen fuel-cell freight locomotives, retrofitting diesel units for test operations.
- Asia:
- South Korea: Hyundai Rotem is developing hydrogen trams and locomotives. Its full-scale tram, planned for Daejeon by 2028, won a 2023 iF Design Award.
- Japan: The FV-E991 hydrogen train is under evaluation in the Tokyo–Yokohama area since 2022.
- China: Pilot hydrogen LRVs have operated in Foshan since 2015—plans are underway for broader adoption.
Challenges and Outlook
Though hydrogen trains promise zero-emission travel with less infrastructure dependency, faces remaining challenges:
- Fuel-cell reliability: German experience highlights durability and maintenance issues; new-generation cells by Alstom are expected late in 2025.
- Green hydrogen availability: Projects rely on renewables-based production; otherwise, environmental benefits are limited.
- Cost vs electrification: Hydrogen costs more per kilometer than batteries or wires—but cost-effective on certain rural/non-electrified lines.
- Infrastructure investment: Railways need refueling stations and hydrogen pipelines. Germany’s 9,700 km network plans and EU’s €3 billion funding support expansion.
Conclusion
From Germany’s pioneering Coradia iLint to the upcoming Siemens Mireo Plus H, and ambitious projects in Italy, France, the US, and Asia—hydrogen trains are gaining global traction. While technical setbacks remain, continuous innovation in fuel-cell tech, coupled with investments in green hydrogen and pipeline infrastructure, are surging forward.
Hydrogen trains are proving particularly transformative on non-electrified regional lines. If reliability challenges are addressed and hydrogen is produced sustainably, this technology could form a vital pillar in the pursuit of net-zero rail transport.
As Ray Marquez summarized on the ZEMU’s U.S. debut: “Transformational.”
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