+
Siemens partners with Deutsche Bahn for hydrogen trains trial
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Siemens partners with Deutsche Bahn for hydrogen trains trial

Siemens Mobility, with railway operator Deutsche Bahn, has embarked upon the development of hydrogen-run fuel cell trains as well as filling stations with a view to replacing conventional diesel engines across local rail networks in Germany. The German railway operator has not electrified 40% of its 33,000 km long network, on which it runs 1,300 diesel locomotives.The project is all set to go for trial in 2024.

With a top speed of 160 km/hour and a range of around 600 km, the new prototype will take only 15 minutes to get fuelled. Based on the electric railcar Mireo Plus, the prototype that is to be manufactured by Siemens is expected to come attached with fuel cells, which with the help of a battery, can convert oxygen and hydrogen into electricity for use onboard. Both companies confirmed this development.

Siemens Mobility told sources the train amalgamated the scope of being fed by three different sources in a modular system. Based on where it is projected to run, the train can be fed by existing overhead lines, the fuel cell, or even the battery.

Concerning the national climate targets that have been mandated by the European Union, Siemens Mobility stated that rail transport is obliged to decarbonise itself gradually over the long-term. In the longer run, Siemens’s hydrogen-powered trains will be able to replace the conventional diesel-run trains, he added.

Operators of regional markets that generally reorder batches of 10 to 50 trains constitute the primary target market, Siemens said. Along with being anticipated by the Berlin government to provide competition to the fossil fuels in the longer run, green hydrogen is also expected to play a pivotal role across the heating, decarbonising, and transport industries. The hydrogen-fuelled trains will be tested between Horb, Tuebingen, and Pforzheim in the state of Baden Wuerttemberg.

Siemens Mobility, with railway operator Deutsche Bahn, has embarked upon the development of hydrogen-run fuel cell trains as well as filling stations with a view to replacing conventional diesel engines across local rail networks in Germany. The German railway operator has not electrified 40% of its 33,000 km long network, on which it runs 1,300 diesel locomotives.The project is all set to go for trial in 2024.With a top speed of 160 km/hour and a range of around 600 km, the new prototype will take only 15 minutes to get fuelled. Based on the electric railcar Mireo Plus, the prototype that is to be manufactured by Siemens is expected to come attached with fuel cells, which with the help of a battery, can convert oxygen and hydrogen into electricity for use onboard. Both companies confirmed this development. Siemens Mobility told sources the train amalgamated the scope of being fed by three different sources in a modular system. Based on where it is projected to run, the train can be fed by existing overhead lines, the fuel cell, or even the battery. Concerning the national climate targets that have been mandated by the European Union, Siemens Mobility stated that rail transport is obliged to decarbonise itself gradually over the long-term. In the longer run, Siemens’s hydrogen-powered trains will be able to replace the conventional diesel-run trains, he added. Operators of regional markets that generally reorder batches of 10 to 50 trains constitute the primary target market, Siemens said. Along with being anticipated by the Berlin government to provide competition to the fossil fuels in the longer run, green hydrogen is also expected to play a pivotal role across the heating, decarbonising, and transport industries. The hydrogen-fuelled trains will be tested between Horb, Tuebingen, and Pforzheim in the state of Baden Wuerttemberg.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Rs 19.5 Billion Meerut–Nazibabad Rail Electrification Complete

The Rs 19.5 billion railway electrification of the Meerut–Nazibabad section has been completed, marking a major step towards improving connectivity in northern India. The project covers 132 kilometres of track and is expected to enhance operational efficiency while reducing travel time and fuel costs.Officials from the Ministry of Railways said the electrification will enable faster, more reliable train services and contribute to reduced carbon emissions. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal of achieving 100 per cent electrification of India’s railway network by 2030...

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

AU Small Finance Bank Secures RBI Approval For Universal Bank

AU Small Finance Bank has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transition into a universal bank. The move will allow the Jaipur-based lender to expand its range of financial services and compete directly with larger commercial banks.Founded in 1996 as a non-banking finance company, AU Small Finance Bank became a small finance bank in 2017. The transition to a universal bank will enable it to offer a broader portfolio, including enhanced corporate banking, treasury operations, and new retail products.Managing Director and CEO Sanjay Agarwal said the approval marks a signifi..

Next Story
Building Material

India Cements Q1 Loss Narrows To Rs 276 Million On Higher Sales

India Cements Ltd has reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 276 million for the quarter ended June 2025, narrowing from a loss of Rs 831 million a year earlier. Consolidated revenue from operations rose 20 per cent year-on-year to Rs 17.9 billion from Rs 14.9 billion.The company attributed the improvement to higher sales volumes and better price realisations, which offset some of the impact of elevated fuel and raw material costs. EBITDA turned positive at Rs 1.1 billion, compared with a loss in the same period last year.Vice Chairman and Managing Director N. Srinivasan said the company will ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?