India Gets Its 1st Hydrogen-Powered Train, Will Run On 89 Km Route In Haryana

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train. The train will run on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana under Northern Railway.

For the first time, hydrogen fuel cell technology will be used in India. The technology will use hydrogen fuel cells to produce electricity, making it a cleaner alternative to diesel trains. The project also includes hydrogen storage and refuelling facilities.

“India has become one of the select group of nations that have such trains. This will go a long way in ensuring that India adopts clean technology in the railway sector,” PM Modi posted on X ahead of the launch.

Developed as a pilot project, the train will help test hydrogen technology and support future plans for eco-friendly rail travel in India.

Key Features Of Hydrogen Train:

1. 10-car hydrogen fuel cell-based trainset.

2. Powered by a 1200 kW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.

3. Approved to operate at a maximum speed of 75 kmph with a design speed of 110 kmph.

4. Capacity of Around 2,600 Passengers.

5. Developed from the design stage through prototype manufacturing.

6. It will connect Jind Junction, Gohana Junction and Sonipat while serving intermediate stations.

7. Proposed halts: Jind City, Pandu Pindara Junction, Lalit Khera Halt, Bhambhewa, Isapur Kheri Halt, Butane Halt, Khandrai Halt, Rabrah Halt, Lath Halt, Mohana, Barwasni Halt and Sonipat New.

Which Other Countries Have Hydrogen-Powered Trains?

With this move, India joins a select group of countries exploring hydrogen-powered rail transportation. These include Germany, Japan, China and the United States.

Germany was the pioneer in deploying the world's first hydrogen-powered passenger train, the Alstom Coradia iLint.

In 2022, the train completed a record 1,175 km journey without refuelling. Meant to operate on the Bremervorde route in Lower Saxony, these trains were launched with cleaner zero-emission technology as an alternative to the diesel-powered trains.

Additionally, Germany is also expected to deploy three hydrogen-powered trains in the Sudostbayernbahn network this year. These trains will operate on the 32.2-km Muhldorf-Tubling-Burghausen route, using roof-mounted fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries for zero-emission travel, as per the Hydrogen Europe website.

Japan will reportedly have its first-ever hydrogen hybrid train by the end of fiscal 2027. The train will run on the Tsurumi and Nambu lines in Kanagawa Prefecture near Tokyo and will be known as the “Hybari” train.

In 2024, California introduced the US' first hydrogen-powered passenger train, known as Zemu, in San Bernardino.