Alstom to develop zero-emission train

Alstom representatives and Helmut Riegger, district administrator of Calw, signed a letter of intent for the planned use of new emission-free fuel-cell drive trains on the Hermann-Hesse railway line. This line is set to improve access to the Black Forest and make it become a nearby area of relaxation.

The new trains for Hermann-Hesse railway line will be completely emission-free. In times of increasing energy costs and higher level of pollution, the development of this technology is essential.

The new train generation is based on the Alstom Coradia platform. In addition to being completely emission-free, the train consumes less energy, thanks to the use of an intelligent energy management system, and its noise level is drastically reduced compared to conventional diesel trains.

Moreover, it is equipped with fuel-cell drive — a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction — a proven technology used on the automotive industry.

The trains are developed and will be manufactured in Salzgitter, Alstom’s competence center for regional trains in Germany.