More than 10,000 kilometers traveled. The FCH2Rail project has achieved a milestone by obtaining Adif’s authorization to operate the first hydrogen hybrid train on the Spanish railway network.
Developed by a consortium that includes the Basque manufacturer CAF and entities such as DLR, Toyota, Renfe, Adif, CNH2, IP, and StemmannTechnik, this innovative train has traveled more than 10,000 kilometers in hydrogen mode.
Stringent tests passed
The hydrogen train has successfully completed routes such as Zaragoza-Canfranc in the Pyrenees, demonstrating its reliability in intense conditions and steep slopes. It also tested its technology by crossing from Spain to Portugal during its stay in Galicia.
This is the first train that crossed from Spain to Portugal
Renfe introduces a commuter train with hydrogen fuel cell
For this project, a commuter train provided by Renfe was transformed into a hybrid with a hydrogen fuel cell Fuel Cell Hybrid PowerPack. It is the first hydrogen railway demonstrator on the Iberian Peninsula and has been undergoing tests since 2022, both on closed and open tracks. The success of these tests will help determine the most suitable technology for different rail lines.
Comparison with the project in Germany
In contrast, Lower Saxony, Germany, canceled its hydrogen hybrid train project due to costs, opting for battery electric trains or infrastructure electrification.
In Spain, the FCH2Rail consortium is in talks with European committees to promote the regulation and standardization of hydrogen technology on the railway network, presenting it as a viable alternative to diesel trains.
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