Alstom’s Coradia iLint, the world’s first hydrogen-fuel-cell train, is nearing the end of a tour of Germany, during which it presented its ready-to-use hydrogen technology in six federal states, demonstrating an emissions-free alternative for non-electrified lines.

Jörg Nikutta, Alstom’s managing director (Germany and Austria) (www.alstom.com), said before the tour: “This is a great opportunity for passengers, media and political stakeholders to get to know our Coradia iLint hydrogen train.

"Our technology is ready to use. It represents an existing environment-friendly alternative for non-electrified or partially electrified lines and offers increased passenger comfort, thanks to being significantly quieter than a conventional diesel multiple unit.”

The first two hydrogen trains manufactured by Alstom have been in regular passenger service on the Elbe-Weser network since September.

From 2021, the Niedersachsen transport authority (LNVG) will use 14 Coradia iLints to transport commuters between Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven and Bremervörde.

The iLint is the world’s first passenger train powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that generates electric power for traction.

The completely emissions-free train only emits water vapour and condensation. It features ‘flexible’ energy storage in batteries and the ‘intelligent’ management of power.

The Coradia iLint was developed by the design and engineering teams in Salzgitter (Germany), which is Alstom’s competence centre for regional trains, and in Tarbes (France), which is Alstom’s competence centre for traction systems.