India get its first hydrogen powered train, marking a milestone in green rail mobility

New Delhi:- Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train on Friday at Jind railway station in Haryana, marking a major step towards cleaner and more sustainable rail transportation. The train will operate on the Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway.

Powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology, the train generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to drive its propulsion system. The only by-product of this process is water vapour, making the train a zero carbon-emission mode of transport during operation.

Designed, engineered and integrated in India using indigenous technology, the project reflects the country’s growing expertise in advanced railway engineering and supports the government’s vision of developing environmentally friendly transport systems.

The hydrogen-powered train has a ten-coach configuration, making it one of the longest hydrogen-powered passenger trains in the world. Equipped with a 3,200-horsepower propulsion system, it is also among the most powerful hydrogen-powered trainsets currently in operation. The train is designed to run at a maximum speed of 75 kilometres per hour.

The launch represents a significant milestone in Indian Railways’ efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and adopt clean energy solutions. The use of green hydrogen is expected to lower dependence on electricity generated from fossil fuel-based thermal power plants and contribute to India’s broader climate and net-zero commitments.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology produces electricity through a chemical reaction using hydrogen. The primary energy source is a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). This is a fuel cell that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen across a proton-conducting Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) polymer membrane.

The process produces only water vapour and heat as byproducts. Hydrogen is a high-energy fuel, 120 MJ/Kg (megajoules per kilogram) in comparison to diesel, which is 43 MJ/Kg. It is low maintenance with a manageable carbon footprint. This makes hydrogen the cleanest propulsion technology currently available for rail transport. To support this, Indian Railways has established dedicated infrastructure.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is increasingly being adopted worldwide as a clean alternative to diesel-powered trains, particularly on non-electrified railway routes where full electrification may not be economically viable. Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity without combustion, producing only water vapour and heat as emissions.

Several countries, including Germany, Japan, China and the United States, have been testing or operating hydrogen-powered trains as part of their efforts to decarbonise rail transport. Germany became the first country to introduce hydrogen-powered passenger trains into regular commercial service in 2022.

Indian Railways has set an ambitious target of becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030. Along with rapid electrification of railway routes, the introduction of hydrogen-powered trains forms part of its strategy to promote clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen energy security.

The hydrogen train project also aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to position India as a global hub for the production, use and export of green hydrogen.