This is a new step towards the abandonment of diesel. The German conglomerate Siemens unveiled this Thursday a model of hydrogen train developed with the rail operator Deutsche Bahn. Objective: a first commissioning in 2024. The vehicle powered by its mobile hydrogen storage trailer must eventually “replace the railcars running on diesel in regional transport”, specifies a press release from Deutsche Bahn.
Using hydrogen on the rail, to drive without polluting emissions, is part of the German government’s project which wants to “electrify 75% of the rail network by 2030”, commented Michael Theurer, Secretary of State to the Minister for Digital. and Transport.
Water and vapor discharge
This train model called “Mireo Plus H” operates without emissions with “green hydrogen”, produced from clean energy, releasing only steam and water. “Each delivered train will save up to 45,000 tonnes of CO2 over a 30-year lifespan compared to the corresponding car journeys,” according to Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility.
They will have a range of up to 800 kilometers with two cars and 1,000 kilometers with three cars, for a top speed of up to 160 km/h, according to the press release. Deutsche Bahn supported the development of a service station capable of refueling a hydrogen train as quickly as a diesel train.
Delay vis-à-vis Alstom
The Mireo Plus H will begin trials in Baden-Württemberg (southwest) in 2023 for first commercial operation from 2024, between the cities of Tübingen, Horb and Pforzheim. With this program Siemens is trying to catch up with its French competitor Alstom, which already markets hydrogen passenger trains.
41 trains have been ordered by two German Länder and experiments have taken place in Austria, the Netherlands (with Engie), Poland, Sweden and France. Alstom and the energy company Engie will also develop powerful freight locomotives powered by a hydrogen-powered fuel cell.