World’s first zero-emissions hydrogen train completes trial

The world’s first zero-emission hydrogen train has successfully completed its first trial in Germany. 

The Coradia iLint is powered by large lithium ion batteries that source energy from a hydrogen fuel tank on the roof of the train.

As a result, the train only emits excess steam into the atmosphere; providing an alternative to the Germany’s 4,000 diesel trains.

The Coradia iLint can travel almost 500 miles (805 kilometres) per day at speeds of up to 87 miles per hour (140 kilometres per hour).

Furthermore, the only sound the train emits comes from the wheels and air resistance.

The train was first presented at Berlin’s InnoTrans trade show in August last year, and is set to become the world’s only fuel cell passenger train – according to its developer Alstom.

The Coradia iLint has since completed its first test run that was carried out on the company’s own track in Salzgitter, Lower Saxony.

Passenger test runs are scheduled to commence at the beginning of 2018.

Didier Pfleger, Vice President of Alstom in Germany and Austria, said: “This test run is a significant milestone in environmental protection and technical innovation”.

He went on to say: “With the Coradia iLint and its fuel cell technology, Alstom is the first railway manufacturer to offer a zero-emission alternative for mass transit trains.”

The train is expected to run on the Buxtehude-Bremervörde-Bremerhaven-Cuxhaven line in Lower Saxony.

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Image source: ALSTOM