India Tests First Hydrogen-Powered Train Coach

29 Jul 2025 CW Team

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on 25 July 2025 that Indian Railways has successfully tested the country’s first hydrogen-powered coach at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. The coach is part of a 1,200 horsepower hydrogen train under development, aimed at positioning India among global leaders in hydrogen-powered rail technology.

Vaishnaw shared the milestone via a post on social media platform X, stating: “First hydrogen-powered coach (Driving Power Car) successfully tested at ICF, Chennai. India is developing 1,200 HP hydrogen train. This will place India among the leaders in hydrogen-powered train technology.”

As part of the broader "Hydrogen for Heritage" initiative, Indian Railways has proposed the operation of 35 hydrogen trains on heritage and hill routes. Each train is projected to cost Rs 800 million, with an additional Rs 700 million per route allocated for ground infrastructure.

In a separate initiative, Indian Railways has awarded a pilot project for retrofitting a hydrogen fuel cell into a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake, along with supporting infrastructure. The Rs 1.12 billion project is set to run on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway.

Although the running cost of hydrogen trains is currently higher, officials expect costs to decline with greater adoption. More importantly, hydrogen fuel is seen as a key enabler for India's carbon neutrality goals by offering clean, emission-free transport.

India has also made strides in green hydrogen mobility in other sectors. Last year, Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, showcased a hydrogen-fuelled bus—powered by Indian Oil—to Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, highlighting the nation’s commitment to sustainable transportation.

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