India’s First Hydrogen Train:
The only obstacle as of now in building multiple green hydrogen trains across the country is the massive cost that is required in its making and development.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on February 1, 2023, announced that India will have its first hydrogen train ready by December this year. Keeping in line with this year’s budget for green growth, Vaishnaw said that the Indian Railway will contribute to this mission via the country’s first hydrogen train which will be designed and manufactured in India by December.
India’s first hydrogen train: Routes that will be taken
The hydrogen train, once ready, will initially run on heritage circuits like Kalka to Shimla. The train route will later be expanded to other places as well. Vaishnaw said that the motive of the train is to show India’s cultural heritage through trains which will also be updated by adding new circuits like the Guru Kripa circuit to the list. This means that these heritage routes will completely go green.
India’s first hydrogen train: What is the technology behind it?
Hydrogen trains, as the name suggests run on hydrogen fuel cells. These are much more environmentally friendly than traditional diesel engines. Hydrogen fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen which then produces the electricity that is used to power the train’s motors.
These trains use clean energy transition fuel that does not emit any air pollutants. By clean energy, we mean that hydrogen can be generated using renewable energy sources like wind, solar power, or hydropower.
These trains will truly make Indian Railways the face of Green India. The only obstacle as of now in building multiple green hydrogen trains across the country is the massive cost that is required in its making and development.
According to the research and ratings agency ICRA, green hydrogen costs around INR 492/kg in India. Due to this, the cost of operating a fuel cell-based hydrogen engine will be 27% higher than that of a diesel engine.