An Alstom hydrogen train broke a distance record on Thursday by traveling 1,175 km in a single tank through Germany, an emblematic patent of resistance in the search for alternatives to diesel. The Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG) serial train, in commercial service since the end of August in northwestern Germany, covered this distance without refueling between Bremervörde (northwest) and Munich (south), Alstom said on Friday.
A French version of hydrogen and electric
The train mixes hydrogen on board and oxygen present in the ambient air, thanks to a fuel cell that produces the electricity needed to pull the train. It only releases water vapor and is particularly virtuous, as long as the hydrogen production is clean.
The German model, called iLint, runs only on hydrogen, with a drive train designed in France, in Tarbes. Specifically designed for use on non-electrified lines, it circulates for the LNVG at a speed of 80 to 120 km/h, and can reach 140 km/h. Alstom had announced during its presentation a range of up to 1,000 km, as an equivalent diesel train.
The French group delivered 14 copies to LNVG, which are in circulation, and sold 27 to the Frankfurt region. It is also building 6 trains for the Italian market and is working on a French bimodal, hydrogen and electric version.
Source: BFM TV
