India's First Hydrogen Train: 10-Coach Set Carries 2,600 Passengers With Near-Zero Carbon Emissions

Indian Railways is launching its first hydrogen fuel cell trainset, a 10-coach configuration that can carry 2,600 passengers with near-zero carbon emissions. The train uses Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells to generate electricity onboard from hydrogen, producing only water vapor as a byproduct. It generates 1,200 kW of power and will operate at 75 kmph on the Jind-Sonipat route. This is significant because most hydrogen passenger trains globally are short regional sets of 2-4 coaches. India's 10-coach design represents a scale-up in hydrogen rail technology. The train stores hydrogen in onboard cylinders and uses lithium iron phosphate batteries alongside the fuel cells, showing a practical path for replacing diesel locomotives on non-electrified routes. While the operational speed is modest, the key takeaway is the emissions reduction potential for a country with one of the largest rail networks in the world. The article does not discuss hydrogen sourcing or lifecycle emissions, which are important factors for assessing the true carbon impact.