Germany has unveiled the world’s first hydrogen-powered train, thereby marking a historic step to challenge the leadership of the highly polluting diesel trains with a more eco-friendly transport option.
A 100-kilometer (62-mile) rail stretch connecting the cities of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude in northern Germany saw on Monday two cutting edge blue Coradia iLint trains, built by French TGV-maker Alstom.
According to Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge’s statement at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Bremervoerde, the world’s first hydrogen train is “entering commercial service” and is ready for mass production.
In an ambitious plan, the company will introduce another 14 brand-new zero-emissions trains to Lower Saxony by 2021, while other states are also reportedly poised not to lag behind.
The Coradia iLint trains are supplied with fuel cells that produce electricity through hydrogen mixing with oxygen, which allows for the engine equipment not to emit any dangerous fumes into the atmosphere.
Although the train as such is more expensive than its diesel rival, it is cheaper to operate it, Stefan Schrank, the project's manager at Alstom, told AFP.
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Other countries are reportedly also eager to introduce hydrogen trains, namely Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Italy and Canada.