Germany launches world's 'first' hydrogen passenger trains

Germany on Wednesday launched its first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains claiming they are the first of their kind in the world. The 14 trains use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity that powers the engines.

By replacing the existing diesel trains, the German government aims to expand the use of hydrogen as a clean alternative to fossil fuels.

By using hydrogen produced with renewable energy the trains will save 1.6 million litres (more than 422,000 gallons) of diesel fuel a year.

Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck said the move will save energy and reduce gas consumption but the country still has a long way to go. "Hydrogen trains will reduce gas consumption by about two to two and a half percent," he said

The trains manufactured by French company Alstom are operated by regional rail company LNVG on routes between the northern towns of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde, and Buxtehude.

The company says the Coradia iLint trains have a range of up to 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) and a maximum speed of 140 kph (87 mph).

The hydrogen is currently produced as a byproduct in chemical processes, but German specialty gas company Linde plans to manufacture it locally using only renewable energy within three years.

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