BERLIN: The world's first passenger train network powered by hydrogen was launched in the German federal state of Lower Saxony, after about four years trial operations.

According to the local transport authority of Lower Saxony, LNVG, 14 trains with hydrogen fuel cell drives made by French company Alstom will replace diesel trains. By the end of the year, all of the new trains will be in service, with the first five already running.

The 14 trains with hydrogen fuel cell drive produced by French manufacturer Alstom are to replace diesel trains,  local transport authority of Lower Saxony said on Wednesday.  "This project is a role model internationally." "We are thereby establishing a milestone on the way to climate neutrality in the transport sector as a state of renewable energies," the statement reads. Two pre-series trains "operated without any difficulties" throughout their two years of experimental operation, the LNVG reported.

The renovation will cost about 93 million euros in total. The 1,000 km range of the Coradia iLint emission-free hydrogen fuel cell trains allows them to "operate all day long on just one tank of hydrogen," according to a statement from Alstom.The trains will save 1.6 million gallons of diesel and thereby cut 4,400 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The train can travel at a top speed of 140 km/h. 

Speaking on behalf of LNVG, Dirk Altwig said, "We will not purchase any additional diesel trains in the future."
Other older diesel trains in use must be replaced next. The company has yet to decide whether to operate hydrogen or battery-powered trains.

Germany wants to cut its greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 65% by 2030. By 2045, five years ahead of schedule, climate neutrality should be attained.

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