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Alstom Coradia iLint – the world's 1st hydrogen powered passenger train

Towards clean and future-oriented mobility

A hydrogen train is rail vehicle powered by fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity to drive the train's motors, and emits only water during operation. As part of the global push for rail decarbonisation, hydrogen trains offer a clean alternative to diesel, especially on non-electrified lines.

In line with our aim to facilitate a global transition to a low-carbon transport system, Alstom has pioneered several sustainable mobility solutions. Coradia iLint hydrogen train is a illustration for our commitment to designing and delivering innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions.

It was at InnoTrans 2016 in Berlin that Alstom presented the Coradia iLint hydrogen train for the first time. The launch of the regional train with zero direct carbon emissions that represents a true alternative to diesel power positioned us as the first railway manufacturer in the world to develop a passenger train based on hydrogen technology. And just two years later, in 2018, the Coradia iLint hydrogen train entered into commercial service in Germany.

Alstom's green traction solutions: sustainable solutions for non-electrified railways

Coradia iLint hydrogen train was the world’s first passenger train powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which produces electrical power for traction. In operation, this train emits no CO2 and exhausts only water. Coradia iLint hydrogen train is special for its combination of different innovative elements: clean energy conversion, flexible energy storage in batteries, and smart management of traction power and available energy. Specifically designed to non- or partially electrified lines up to 1,000 km, it enables clean, sustainable train operation while ensuring the highest levels of performance.

Coradia iLint hydrogen train was designed by Alstom teams in Salzgitter (Germany), our Centre of Excellence for regional trains, and in Tarbes (France), centre of excellence for traction systems. The project first benefitted from the support of the German Ministry of Economy and Mobility and the development of the Coradia iLint hydrogen train was funded by the German government as part of the National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP).

How does a fuel cell work?

The hydrogen fuel cell produces electrical power for traction. The fuel cell supplies electrical energy by combining hydrogen, which is stored in tanks on board, and oxygen from the outside air emitted.
Hydrogen powered mobility

While hydrogen technology might appear complicated, it works in a simple way. Hydrogen is not used directly for propulsion. Instead, the hydrogen is fed into a fuel cell that produces electric energy to run the train.
What do hydrogen trains emit?

In operation, hydrogen powered trains are 100% direct CO2 emission-free and the only exhaust is water. The generated heat is used for air conditioning.
World's first hydrogen filling station for passenger trains

In Bremervörde, Germany, the world‘s first hydrogen filling station for passenger trains, built in cooperation with LINDE, is in operation. From summer 2022, 14 hydrogen-powered regional trains supplied by Alstom will be refuelled there daily and around the clock if necessary.
> 200.000 km

From 2018 to 2022, our Coradia iLint hydrogen train traveled more than 200.000 km. This is the equivalent of 5 times around the globe in passenger service using only hydrogen power. Regular commercial service started in summer 2022, and is continuing to increase mileage.

Alstom Coradia iLint on tracks in Germany

Alstom Coradia iLint distance run

On Thursday, 15 September 2022, the Alstom Coradia iLint, the world's first hydrogen train successfully traveled 1,175 km without refueling its hydrogen tank.