What are the features of Hydrogen Train or Hydrail?« Back to Questions List
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Hydrogen Train, nicknamed as Hydrail is a hydrogen powered train. World’s first hydrogen train has been rolled out by Germany. First such train started 100 km trips in Germany’s northern Lower Saxony state. In the long run, it is expected that Hydrail will be a solution to control vehicular pollution, one of the major causes of pollution. The train which is capable of running at 140 km per hour does not release carbon dioxide. This pollution free train emits only steam and water droplets. Hydrogen trains are noiseless too. The manufacturer of Hydrails called Coradia iLint trains is Alstom, a French railroad company. The Coradia iLint will run on non-electrified train lines. Hydrails are provided with fuels cells that generate electricity by chemical reaction of hydrogen modules. The company claims that a Hydrogen train can cover 1000 km on a single tank of Hydrogen. Hydrogen trains have batteries made of lithium-ion. This type of battery is now widely used in home appliances and mobile phones. The surplus power produced from the chemical reaction will be stored in the lithium-ion batteries. The trains can carry up to 300 passengers on a trip.
The first train is the result of cooperation of teams in Germany and France. The project received support from the German government. The launch is the result of the efforts of these countries to shift from diesel trains and reduce pollution. According to the company, apart from Germany, other countries like Italy, Canada, Norway, UK, the Netherlands and Denmark are in the process of introducing hydrogen trains. Germany will launch fourteen more trains in coming months.
Hydrails offer many advantages compared to diesel powered locomotives. But it comes at a higher price. The cost of each train is in the range of $7 million. But the operating costs are much lower. Hence, in the long run, Hydrails appear to turn out cheaper as lithium-ion batteries can be recharged. |
