Indian railways to roll out hydrogen-powered train by December 2023. Check details!

With an aim to reduce carbon footprints in the country, Indian Railway is working on a war mode to roll out its indigenously designed hydrogen-powered train by December 2023.

According to the news agency Reuters, the hydrogen-powered train will be called Vande Metro and manufactured in large numbers to replace the trains built in the 1950s and 60s.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the report and stated that Indian engineers are designing the hydrogen-powered train, and the first such indigenously built train will be out next year.’

Earlier this year, Germany became the first country in the world to successfully operate run hydrogen-powered trains. According to the company’s website, Alstom Coradia iLint is the world’s first and only operational passenger train powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

“It’s a completely emission-free train and only emits water vapor and condensation. The train features several different innovations: clean energy conversion and efficient supply and storage system combined with intelligent energy management. Designed specifically for use on non-electrified lines, it enables clean, sustainable train operations,” read the website.

According to a report published in mercomindia.com, fuel-cell technology company Ballard Power Systems has secured a fuel cell module order from Medha Servo Drives, a rail system integrator, to develop India’s first hydrogen-powered trains.

Report confirmed that the two retrofitted diesel-electric commuter trains developed for Indian Railways will integrate 8 units of 100 kW FCmoveTM-HD+.