India's Hydrogen Train Cuts Emissions on 89-km Route Using Green Fuel

For climate advocates, India's hydrogen train launch is a critical real-world experiment. The 89-km pilot will demonstrate whether hydrogen fuel cells can replace diesel on unprofitable electrification routes, potentially slashing millions of tons of CO2 from the world's third-largest rail network. With renewable-powered hydrogen, the full lifecycle emissions could be near zero, aligning with India's ambitious climate pledges.

India has launched a hydrogen fuel-cell train pilot on the 89-km Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana, marking the fifth nation globally to deploy hydrogen rail technology. The 10-car train—comprising two hydrogen-powered driving cars and eight passenger coaches—can carry up to 2,600 passengers, making it the largest hydrogen train configuration in service. Operated by Indian Railways, the train runs at a maximum operational speed of 75 kph (top speed 110 kph) and emits only water vapor and heat, a sharp contrast to the diesel trains it aims to replace. The pilot includes dedicated hydrogen storage and refueling infrastructure, with the hydrogen produced using renewable energy, maximizing carbon benefits.

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For climate advocates, India's hydrogen train launch is a critical real-world experiment.

India’s railway network, spanning 115,000 km, is among the world’s largest, but a significant portion remains unelectrified. While India has aggressively pursued electrification, many lines—especially regional and low-density routes—are not economically or geographically viable for overhead wires. Hydrogen trains offer a compelling alternative to diesel on these sections, avoiding the high capital cost of electrification infrastructure while eliminating tailpipe emissions. Compared to battery-electric trains, hydrogen’s advantage lies in rapid refueling times and longer range, as demonstrated by Germany’s Alstom Coradia iLint, which traveled 1,175 km without refueling in 2022. However, hydrogen fuel cells are less energy-efficient than direct electric trains because of energy losses in hydrogen production, compression, and conversion.

The strategic importance of this pilot extends beyond mobility. India has set ambitious targets for green hydrogen production, leveraging its abundant solar and wind resources. Using renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen ensures that the fuel is truly carbon-free, and the government has launched a National Green Hydrogen Mission to build production capacity. The pilot project will generate real-world data on performance, maintenance, and fuel supply logistics, informing future scaling. If successful, hydrogen trains could cover thousands of kilometers of unelectrified track, reducing diesel consumption and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, launching the train with a capacity of 2,600 passengers—far larger than Germany’s two-car iLint—signals Indian Railways’ intent to deploy hydrogen on high-density corridors, not just niche regional routes.

Globally, the hydrogen rail sector has been slow to scale; Germany, Japan, the US, and China have each run limited operations. India’s entry intensifies the competitive landscape for hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers and suppliers. Alstom, which developed the iLint, may face new local competitors or partnerships as India seeks to indigenize the technology. The pilot’s infrastructure components—hydrogen refueling stations, storage tanks, and transport logistics—will create opportunities for domestic and international companies across the hydrogen supply chain.