A total of 14 fuel-cell trains for LNVG are to be built at the Salzgitter (Germany) plant of Alstom.

The Coradia iLint trains are scheduled to carry passengers between Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervörde and Buxtehude from December 2021, replacing the current diesel units operated by transport authority Elbe-Weser-Verkehrsbetriebe (EVB).

Reducing the ‘pollutant emissions’ in daily service to zero, the Coradia iLint can cover up to 1,000km on one tank of hydrogen, and reach a maximum speed of 140kph. LNVG will purchase the hydrogen-powered trains for its vehicle pool and then rent them to railway operators.

The trains will be maintained by Alstom at the EVB depot in Bremervörde, which will be extended for this purpose.

Transport Minister Olaf Lies said: “From now on, there is a real alternative to diesel trains in non-electrified rail transport.

“Hydrogen and fuel cells are the ideal combination for climate protection — and for the energy and transport revolution.

“I am pleased that Alstom will build the trains in Lower Saxony, further strengthening their production site in Salzgitter.”