India has put into operation its first train powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The launch was inaugurated by the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first route is the 89-kilometer Jind – Sonipat line in the state of Haryana, with the technology potentially being introduced on other railway routes in the future.
The train was fully designed, developed, and built in India. It consists of two motor cars with hydrogen power units and eight passenger cars with a total space accommodating about 2,600 people. Electricity is generated in fuel cells, where hydrogen combines with oxygen, and the only reaction product is water vapor. In addition to fuel cells, each motor car is equipped with lithium-iron-phosphate batteries and hydrogen storage cylinders.
The total power output of the propulsion system is 2.4 MW (1.2 MW per motor car). This is sufficient to accelerate the train to 110 km/h, although at the initial stage of operation its maximum speed is limited to 75 km/h. The train is also equipped with a multi-level safety system that monitors potential hydrogen leaks, as well as smoke, flame, and overheating.
Simultaneously with the train’s launch, Indian Railways built all the necessary infrastructure for hydrogen transport operations in Jind. A complex has been constructed at the station where hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis, then compressed to 500 bar, stored, and supplied for refueling at 350 bar pressure. The refueling complex can simultaneously service both motor cars, reducing train preparation time. The facility can store nearly 3,000 kg of hydrogen which is sufficient for routine train operation.
Today, hydrogen trains are used in only a few countries. Germany was the first to commence commercial operation, while France, Italy, China, and Japan are only implementing pilot projects. Moreover, most existing hydrogen trains consist of just two to four cars and are intended for regional services. The Indian initiative boasts a more extensive structure and is deemed foundational for the subsequent integration of hydrogen propulsion.
