Hydrogen Trains — Germany’s Path to Zero-Emission Rail
On Germany’s regional tracks, the quiet hum of hydrogen trains is replacing the roar of diesel — marking a new era in sustainable rail transport.
Germany’s hydrogen trains, developed by Alstom and operated by LNVG, are the world’s first passenger fleet to run entirely on hydrogen fuel cells.Each train emits only water vapor and condensed steam, eliminating CO₂ and particulate pollution along routes previously dependent on diesel.
The system stores hydrogen in pressurized tanks on board, where it reacts with oxygen in a fuel cell to generate electricity.With a range of up to 1 000 kilometres per tank, the trains match the performance of conventional diesel units while cutting lifetime emissions to zero.
Germany’s success has inspired similar deployments in France, Italy, and Japan — proving hydrogen rail is ready for large-scale adoption.The project also strengthens Europe’s green-hydrogen economy, linking transportation with renewable production and storage hubs.
By turning legacy railways into clean corridors, Germany’s hydrogen trains showcase how infrastructure renewal can lead directly to carbon-free mobility.