Forget electric engines, Germany puts into service world's first hydrogen-powered train

At the time India is focussing on electrification of its rail networks, Germany has rolled out the world's first hydrogen-powered train Coradia iLint, built by French TGV-maker Alstom. (Photo: Alstom)

Hydrogen trains are equipped with fuel cells that produce electricity through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, a process that leaves steam and water as the only emissions. It stores the excess energy in ion lithium batteries on board the train. (Photo: Alstom)

It has inducted two bright blue Coradia iLint trains which can easily run at a speed of 100 kmph. The trains will initially ply between the towns and cities of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude in northern Germany. (Photo: Alstom)

Alstom has planned to deliver 14 more zero-emissions trains to Lower Saxony state by 2021. The Coradia iLint trains can run for around 1,000 kilometres on a single tank of hydrogen. (Photo: Alstom)

Countries like Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Italy and Canada have also expressed their interest in the train. (Photo: Alstom)