Siemens And Deutsche Bahn Ready To Launch Hydrogen Train

Hydrogen train illustration. (Source: Siemens com)

JAKARTA - Siemens Mobility, together with the Deutsche Bahn train company, have begun developing a hydrogen-powered train and a refueling station which will be tested in 2024.

As a first step, the train prototype will be built by Siemens, using a Mireo Plus electric train platform equipped with fuel cells to convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity and batteries.

Siemens Mobility Chief Executive Michael Peter said the train combines the possibility of being supplied by three power sources in a modular system, either by batteries, fuel cells or even existing air lines, depending on where the train will operate.

Rail transport must be decarbonized in the long term under both EU and national climate targets. The Deutsche Bahn alone operates 1,300 fossil fuel diesel locomotives.

"Our hydrogen trains are capable of replacing diesel fueled trains in the long term," Peter told Reuters.

This prototype will have the ability to refuel for only 15 minutes, to cover a distance of up to 60 kilometers with a maximum speed of up to 160 kilometers per hour. Trials of this prototype will be carried out between Tuebingen, Horb and Pforzheim in the State of Baden Wuerttemberg.

"The main target market is regional network operators who usually reorder 10 to 50 trains. We see a potential market of 10,000-15,000 trains in Europe that need replacing in the next 10-15 years, with 3,000 of them in Germany. Germany alone," he said. .

In time, each train will cost between 5 - 10 million euros, creating a market potential of 50 - 150 billion euros in total. The German government hopes that the hydrogen train will be competitive with fossil fuel trains for the long term. As well as playing a key role in the decarbonization industry.