Germany rolls out world's first hydrogen train

According to a media report, Germany has become the first country in the world to put hydrogen fuel cell trains into service. Two Coradia iLint trains, made by French train maker Alstom, will ply as passenger trains on a 100 km route in northern Germany.

The trains have a range of 1,000 km before needing a refuel - comparable to equivalent diesel trains running today. The fuel cell technology is claimed to be a cleaner and quieter alternative to diesel trains. In a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen combine to generate electricity, while the by-products are steam and water.

Alstom has already received orders for 14 more zero emission trains to be delivered by 2021, while other states in Germany have also expressed interest in them. Countries like Britain, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Italy and Canada are also exploring hydrogen powered trains, while France plans to deploy them by 2022.

Source:The Guardian