Hydrogen trains use onboard fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen, emitting only water vapor. They offer zero-emission travel without the need for expensive overhead electric lines, making them a cleaner alternative to diesel and coal locomotives. India recently launched its first indigenous hydrogen train, the NaMo Green Rail, joining Germany, China, and other countries in adopting this technology. While hydrogen trains avoid direct emissions, their overall climate impact depends on how the hydrogen is produced. Most hydrogen today comes from natural gas, which releases carbon unless paired with carbon capture. Still, hydrogen packs more energy per kilogram than diesel, and refueling takes minutes, not hours. The main hurdles are high infrastructure costs and limited refueling stations.
