Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Images: X/All India Radio News
On July 17, 2026, India inaugurated its first hydrogen-powered train, marking a new era of clean and sustainable transportation for the Indian railways. Here are some facts that you should know.
Northern Railway
The locomotive, which generates its own electricity onboard using hydrogen, will run on the Jind-Sonipat section of the Northern Railway.
RDSO approvals
The hydrogen train project has been developed in accordance with design approval and technical specifications prepared by the Research, Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO).
Passenger capacity
The train features a 10-car hydrogen fuel cell-based trainset, with a capacity of around 2,600 passengers.
Speed
The locomotive, powered by a 1,200-kilowatt (kW) hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, has been approved to operate at a maximum speed of 75 kmph, with a design speed of 110 kmph.
Build
The train consists of 2 Hydrogen Driving Power Cars (DPCs) and 8 Trailer Coaches (TCs). Each DPC houses fuel cells, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, and hydrogen storage cylinders.
Hydrogen fuel cell technology
The indigenous train is based on hydrogen fuel cell technology, which has emerged globally as a promising alternative to fossil fuel-based traction systems.
Select-few
With this, India joins a select group of countries exploring hydrogen-powered rail transportation. These include Germany, Japan, China and the USA.
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