Hydrogen trains will undergo testing by Bayern starting from the year 2026. - Deutsche state Bavaria to trial hydrogen-powered trains commencing 2026
Bavaria is spearheading the adoption of hydrogen-powered trains as part of a broader initiative to decarbonise rail transport. By 2025, the Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains manufactured by Siemens Mobility will be operational on non-electrified routes, aiming to replace diesel trains. This project is backed by a €13.74 million investment from Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, and infrastructure partnerships with Deutsche Bahn.
Comparison with Battery-Powered Trains
Costs
Hydrogen rail technology comes with high upfront costs, primarily due to the infrastructure required for hydrogen production and refueling. However, it offers the potential for long-distance travel without the need for extensive electrification. On the other hand, battery trains are generally less expensive to implement initially, as they can utilize existing electrified routes for charging. However, their range and charging times can be limiting factors.
Technology
Hydrogen trains, such as those in Bavaria, offer zero emissions and high energy density, making them suitable for long-distance non-electrified routes. They require significant infrastructure investment but offer operational flexibility. Conversely, battery trains are more environmentally friendly and can operate on electrified routes without additional infrastructure. However, their energy capacity is limited, and they may need to recharge frequently.
Reliability
Hydrogen trains are still in the early stages of deployment, so their long-term reliability and operational efficiency are being closely monitored. Nevertheless, the technology has shown promise in terms of performance and environmental benefits. Battery trains, on the other hand, are generally reliable and well-proven, with existing infrastructure supporting their use on electrified routes. However, their performance can be affected by factors like battery degradation over time.
Future Outlook
Bavaria's hydrogen train initiative is part of a global trend in hydrogen rail development, with a projected market growth of 28.2% CAGR through 2035. However, the high cost of infrastructure remains a significant challenge. Deutsche Bahn, meanwhile, is pursuing a technology-neutral approach, combining electrification with alternative fuels like hydrogen and battery power to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
However, Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter is not fully convinced that hydrogen is the best technology, citing high costs and frequent breakdowns. He currently sees the retrofitting of railway lines with overhead lines and the operation of battery-powered trains as a better solution.
Siemens Mobility is focusing on testing the hydrogen train technology under real-world operating conditions. By 2040, Bavaria aims to phase out the use of diesel trains on such routes. The electrification of all routes in Bavaria is the ultimate goal, but it will only be achievable in the long term due to costs and limited planning capacities. Bavaria itself plans to install overhead lines on a further 330 kilometers of routes.
In the meantime, the hydrogen train in operation between Augsburg and Füssen in Allgäu or Peißenberg in western Upper Bavaria has been operational for more than six months with the Bavarian Regional Railway. A hydrogen-powered train has been in trial operation since the end of 2024, departing from Augsburg.
In Swabia and the Bavarian Forest, battery-powered trains are planned for the future, and charging stations for battery-powered trains are being built in several locations. A study has shown that combining battery and hydrogen power in a vehicle would be technically complex and fraught with high risks. Nevertheless, the pursuit of environmentally friendly alternatives for non-electrified routes continues to be a priority for Bavaria.
- Vocational training programs in EC countries could benefit from the technology and finance sectors, as they could develop curricula focused on the advancements in hydrogen-powered transportation, like the hydrogen rail technology used in Bavaria, to prepare the workforce for the future of green transportation.
- The innovation in hydrogen trains, battery-powered trains, and technology within the transportation industry in EC countries could stimulate advancements in other sectors, such as the development of more efficient vocational training facilities for the workforce of the future, allowing for a broader range of opportunities for vocational trainees.
