21.09.16
Alstom unveils ‘breakthrough’ hydrogen-powered train at InnoTrans
Alstom has unveiled a zero-emissions train which is powered by hydrogen at the InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin yesterday.
The Coradia iLint is a CO2-emission-free regional train powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, meaning it can act as an alternative to diesel. It produces steam and water instead of greenhouse gases, as well as lower levels of noise.
Alstom is offering the train to operators as part of a complete package, including maintenance and infrastructure services.
Henri Poupart-Lafrage, chair and CEO of Alstom, said: “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.”
There are no plans at the moment to deploy the train in the UK, but regional leaders in Germany signed letters of intent in 2014 for emissions-free trains.
Efforts to improve the sustainability of the UK rail sector are largely focused around electrification at the moment, but many regional routes have declared a need for more diesel trains that can substitute older rolling stock or respond to demand in the short term.
The UK’s first hydrogen-powered locomotive was built by University of Birmingham students for the IMechE’s first Railway Challenge in July 2012.
(Image c. Alstom)
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