Hydrogen trains are now running in Germany. But are they really green and do they make any sense?
The first hydrogen-powered trains have entered commercial service in northern Germany, on a route normally served by diesels. The Coradia iLint trains are built by Alstom in France and are equipped with fuel cells that "convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, thus eliminating pollutant emissions related to propulsion." According to the Transport Minister quoted in the Alstom press release,
The emission-free drive technology of the Coradia iLint provides a climate-friendly alternative to conventional diesel trains, particularly on non-electrified lines. In successfully proving the operability of the fuel cell technology in daily service, we will set the course for rail transport to be largely operated climate-friendly and emission-free in the future.
© Rene Frampe
