Cummins fuel cells power the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train route

Using Cummins fuel cell systems, the Alstom Coradia iLint train fleet based in Lower Saxony will become the world’s first passenger train route powered entirely by hydrogen.

Cummins Inc. announced that its fuel cell technology is powering what is reported to be the world’s first passenger train fleet powered entirely by hydrogen. Cummins said the fleet of 14 Alstom Coradia iLint trains, based in Bremerwerde, Lower Saxony, Germany and owned by Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG), will be the first full fleet of passenger-operated trains. The first parts of the fleet arrived in Lower Saxony in mid-summer.

The Coradia iLint hydrogen-powered trains originally launched in Germany in 2018 were developed by Alstom as an alternative to conventional diesel trains. Their fuel-cell systems turn existing non-electrified infrastructure into zero-emission rail lines, while providing low noise levels that increase comfort for both operator and passengers.

The fuel cells for the fleet in Lower Saxony are being assembled at Cummins’ hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing center in Herten, Germany, which opened earlier this year to help accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technology both in Europe and around the world. In addition, Cummins will supply Alstom with 54 fuel cell systems for an order of 27 Coradia iLint trains to be delivered to the Frankfurt metropolitan area.

According to the company, Cummins’ hydrogen fuel cell technology ranges from 30 kW to 180 kW and is capable of powering a variety of vehicles, including buses, trucks and trains. The technology is designed to provide unlimited starts and stops, integrated air supply, advanced controls to optimize performance and zero emissions at the point of use.