Germany unveiled the world’s first zero-emissions passenger train at the Berlin InnoTrans trade show. This environmentally friendly train is the first hydrogen technology-based locomotive. Hydrail will be put into service on Germany’s Buxtehude-Bremervörde-Bremerhaven-Cuxhaven line in the northwestern German state of Lower Saxony by December 2017.
The ‘Coradia iLint’ train is developed by French company Alstom.
Image courtesy Alstom
Here are some salient features of the Coradia iLint:
- The train harnesses the energy from a hydrogen fuel tank which is stored on the roof of the train.
- The hydrogen fuel tank powers a fuel cell to generate electricity.
- With a full tank, it will be able to travel up to 800 km (497 miles).
- Hydrail offers a quieter ride in comparison to the traditional diesel engine models.
- It has a comfortable speed of 140 km/h (87 mph).
- It spews nothing but water.
- It can accommodate 300 passengers.
The company’s chairman and CEO, Henri Poupart-Lafarge, said, “Alstom is proud to launch a breakthrough innovation in the field of clean transportation which will complete its Coradia range of regional trains. It shows our ability to work in close collaboration with our customers and develop a train in only two years.”
The price of the hydrail has not been revealed yet, but it is expected to be higher than that of diesel-powered trains.
