Fuel Cell Installations in Railway and Trains: Top 10 Projects & Companies

Fueling the Future: How Hydrogen Fuel Cells are Revolutionizing Rail

Imagine a world where trains glide silently across landscapes, powered only by water and air, leaving behind nothing but clean water vapor. This isn’t a futuristic fantasy, but a rapidly approaching reality fueled by the innovative application of hydrogen fuel cells to rail transportation. The global railway sector, under increasing pressure to decarbonize, is embracing hydrogen fuel cells as a viable alternative to traditional diesel locomotives. Recent installations point to a significant shift, offering a glimpse into the potential of this clean technology.

Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Rail Installations Take Off

Here’s a snapshot of the groundbreaking installations that are leading the charge:

1. CPKC Orders Ballard Fuel Cell Engines for Locomotives CPKC, Ballard
Company: CPKC and Ballard Power Systems
Installation Capacity: Approximately 20 MW of Ballard fuel cell engines.
Applications: Powering North American locomotives.
Source: Rail – Green Car Congress, CEO Perspective – 2024 in Review – Blog | Ballard Power Systems

2. CPKC Hydrogen Locomotive Program
Company: CPKC
Installation Capacity: Converting three diesel-electric locomotives into hydrogen-powered locomotives.
Applications: Zero-emission mainline service
Source: CPKC Hydrogen Locomotive Program

3. Sierra Northern Railway Fuel Cell Switcher Project
Company: Sierra Northern Railway
Installation Capacity: 1.2 MW fuel cell modules.
Applications: Fuel cell switcher locomotive.
Source: [PDF] Zero Emission Locomotive Conversion

4. Alstom Coradia iLint
Company: Alstom
Installation Capacity: Series of 14 two-car trains + 33 options.
Applications: Passenger service.
Source: Hydrogen fuel cells – zero emission passenger trains?, Alstom Coradia iLint – the world’s 1st hydrogen powered passenger …

5. India’s First Hydrogen Train
Company: Indian Railways, Medha Servo Drives, Ballard Power Systems
Installation Capacity: Ballard to supply fuel cell modules and GreenH Electrolysis to supply 430 kg of hydrogen daily.
Applications: Powering India’s first hydrogen-powered trains.
Source: Ballard to Supply Fuel Cell Modules for India’s First Hydrogen …, GreenH Electrolysis Unveils its First 1 MW PEM Electrolyser …

6. FCH2Rail Project
Company: EU-funded
Installation Capacity: Four hydrogen storage racks, each consisting of eight Type III vessels with a capacity of 5kg, providing a total of 160 kg hydrogen storage.
Applications: Powering regional passenger trains in Spain.
Source: FCH2Rail completes hydrogen fuel cell trials

7. PESA’s New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Locomotive
Company: PESA, Ballard
Installation Capacity: Two Ballard 85kW fuel cells, 175kg hydrogen tanks.
Applications: Shunting operations.
Source: Powered By Ballard: PESA’s New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Locomotive

8. HYBARI Hydrogen-Hybrid Train
Company: JR East
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Hydrogen fuel cells and batteries.
Source: Rail – IEA

9. China-Developed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Locomotive
Company: China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC)
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Trial runs on a 627 km railway line.
Source: First China-developed hydrogen fuel cell locomotive starts trial runs

10. Metrolink Zero Emissions Pilot
Company: Metrolink
Installation Capacity: An electrolyzer station would require at least a 20 MW capacity.
Applications: Hydrogen demand of 50% of Metrolink’s daily operations
Source: [PDF] ZERO EMISSIONS TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – Metrolink

All Aboard the Hydrogen Hype Train: Application Diversity Drives Adoption

The range of applications for hydrogen fuel cells in rail is striking. From mainline locomotives (CPKC’s program) to switcher locomotives (Sierra Northern Railway and PESA’s projects) and passenger trains (Alstom’s Coradia iLint and India’s First Hydrogen Train), the technology is being tested and deployed across the entire spectrum of rail operations. This diversity is a crucial indicator of broader adoption. The fact that CPKC is investing in approximately 20 MW of Ballard fuel cell engines signifies a major commitment to hydrogen for long-haul freight, traditionally a difficult sector to decarbonize. This suggests that hydrogen fuel cells are becoming increasingly competitive with diesel, even for demanding applications.

Around the World in Zero Emissions: Geographic Hotspots Emerge

Geographically, the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell rail is showing some clear leaders. Europe, with projects like the Alstom Coradia iLint in Germany and the FCH2Rail project in Spain, is at the forefront. North America is catching up rapidly, driven by initiatives from CPKC and Sierra Northern Railway in the US. Asia is also emerging as a key region, with India’s ambitious plans for hydrogen-powered trains and China’s initial trial runs. This geographic distribution indicates a global interest in hydrogen rail, but also highlights the importance of regional policies and funding in driving adoption. Europe’s strong regulatory push for decarbonization, coupled with available funding, has likely contributed to its early lead. The North American initiatives, driven by both environmental concerns and potential cost savings, are poised to grow significantly in the coming years.

From Prototype to Profit: Assessing the Maturity of Hydrogen Rail Tech

The installations reveal a technology landscape spanning from demonstration projects to commercial deployments. Alstom’s Coradia iLint, with its series of 14 trains and 33 options, represents one of the most mature applications, already in passenger service. Projects like the FCH2Rail are focused on completing trials and validating the technology’s performance in real-world conditions. The CPKC program, while significant in scale, is still in the early stages of converting locomotives, indicating ongoing development and optimization. This mixed picture suggests that while hydrogen fuel cell technology for rail is maturing rapidly, it’s not yet fully standardized or commercially ubiquitous. The varying sizes of installations, from the smaller 85kW fuel cells in PESA’s locomotive to the large-scale 20 MW commitment from CPKC, demonstrate the scalability of the technology and its potential to address different needs within the rail sector.

The Road Ahead: Hydrogen Rail Sets the Course for Sustainable Transport

These installations signal a significant shift towards a more sustainable future for rail transportation. The continued investment in hydrogen fuel cell technology, coupled with ongoing trials and commercial deployments, suggests that this technology is poised to play a major role in decarbonizing the rail sector. Emerging insights include the critical importance of hydrogen infrastructure (as highlighted by Metrolink’s electrolyzer station needs) and the potential for hybridization with batteries (as seen in JR East’s HYBARI train) to optimize performance and efficiency. As the technology matures and costs decrease, we can expect to see even wider adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in rail, transforming the way we move people and goods across the globe. The journey to a zero-emission railway is underway, and hydrogen fuel cells are leading the charge.