Alstom's Coradia iLint, the first hydrogen-fuel cell train, will be touring six of Germany's states to demonstrate its capabilities as an emission-free alternative for non-electrified lines. The tour began in late January in Rhineland-Palatinate and will continue through mid-February with stops in Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, Thuringia, Berlin and Brandenburg.
"This roadshow is a great opportunity for passengers, media and political stakeholders to get to know our Coradia iLint hydrogen train. Our technology is ready for use. It represents an existing environment-friendly alternative for non- electrified or partially electrified lines and offers increased passenger comfort thanks to a significantly quieter train than a conventional diesel multiple unit," said Dr. Jörg Nikutta, managing director for Alstom in Germany and Austria.
The Coradia iLint is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that generates electric power for traction. Alstom notes the Coradia iLint's several innovations including clean energy conversion, flexible energy storage in batteries and intelligent management of power and available energy.
"Purpose-built for use on non-electrified lines, it enables clean, sustainable traction while maintaining high performance," the company said.
The Coradia iLint was developed by the Alstom teams in Salzgitter, Alstom's competence center for regional trains, and in Tarbes (France), Alstom's competence center for traction systems. Two of Alstom's hydrogen trains have been in regular service on the Elbe-Weser network since September 2018. The Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG) will use 14 Coradia iLints to transport regular travelers between Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervörde and Buxtehude starting in 2021.
