Siemens Mobility announced today that the first Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains have received authorisation for passenger operation in time for the scheduled timetable change on December 15, 2024, and are ready to inaugurate passenger service. Their approval marks another significant milestone for emission-free mobility in the Berlin-Brandenburg and Bavarian regions, where hydrogen-powered trains will be used for the first time.
Andre Rodenbeck, CEO Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility: "We offer electric, battery, and hydrogen trains based on the ultra-modern Mireo platform and have completed the development of our innovative and environmentally friendly Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains right on schedule. The first of these trains will now be entering passenger service and we are delighted to be a driving force behind the phasing out of diesel trains.”
“This transition will reduce CO2 emissions and provide passengers in Germany with climate-friendly, powerful, and comfortable trains.”
Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn Betriebsgesellschaft will operate seven Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains on the Heidekrautbahn line in Berlin-Brandenburg. These trains will save 1.1 million liters of diesel fuel per year and reduce CO2 emissions by 3,000 tons. Locally produced hydrogen will be used in the trains’ fuel cells, and water vapor will be the only emitted by-product. In addition, recovered braking energy will be used to further increase the trains’ energy efficiency.
The Mireo Plus H, named “Freistaat Bayern”, will replace diesel trains at Bayrische Regiobahn (BRB) for two and a half years as of Monday, December 16, 2024. Test operations will begin in stages, starting with selected runs in the East Allgäu-Lechfeld network. Operations will later be expanded and the train will then also run on the Ammersee-Altmühltal network. The new Mireo Plus H provides an environmentally friendly, quiet and efficient alternative to diesel propulsion, which is scheduled to be fully phased out in Bavaria’s regional rail system by 2040.
The Mireo Plus H combines innovation with sustainability. The train has a long operating range of up to 1,200 kilometers, is powered by an H2 traction system with a high drive power of 1.7 MW for accelerating up to 1.1 m/s2, and has a top speed of 160 km/h. Employing state-of-the-art technology, the Mireo Plus H sets new standards in emission-free passenger transportation. We are especially pleased about this openness to new and innovative rail technology and that this climate-friendly and comfortable train will now be available to passengers in Bavaria and Berlin-Brandenburg.
Image credit: Siemens Mobility
