Coradia iLint

Coradia iLint is Alstom’s hydrogen‑fuel‑cell‑powered passenger train, the world’s first zero‑emission vehicle capable of operating on non‑electrified main‑line routes. By converting stored hydrogen into electricity on board, the iLint delivers the performance of a diesel multiple unit while emitting only water vapour, making it a landmark in the decarbonisation of rail transport.

Origins and Development

The project originated from a 2015 partnership between Alstom, the German federal government, and the state of Lower Saxony, which pledged €30 million of public funding to demonstrate hydrogen propulsion on regional lines. Deutsche Bahn placed its inaugural order for 14 three‑car units in June 2016, a contract valued at roughly €150 million and earmarked for service on the Celle–Hamburg corridor. The first iLint entered regular passenger service on 12 September 2018, marking the first commercial deployment of a hydrogen train in Europe.

Technical Overview

Each iLint is built on Alstom’s Coradia LINT platform and houses a 1 200 kW (≈1.6 MW) Ballard fuel‑cell stack that feeds electric traction motors on all three cars. Six high‑pressure (350 bar) composite tanks mounted on the roof store up to 35 kg of hydrogen, giving the train a theoretical range of about 600 km on a single fill and a top speed of 140 km h⁻¹. Refuelling takes roughly 10–15 minutes, comparable to a diesel‑fuel stop, and the system produces no particulate matter, NOₓ or CO₂ at the point of use. Regenerative braking recovers kinetic energy, further improving overall efficiency.

Operational Deployment

Following the initial rollout, Deutsche Bahn ordered a second batch of 16 units in 2020, expanding the fleet to 30 iLints by early 2023. The trains now serve three core corridors in Lower Saxony—Celle–Hamburg, Uelzen–Bremen, and the Harz‑Süd route—covering roughly 1 200 km of track. Each unit carries up to 300 passengers, with a 2‑class layout that includes wheelchair‑accessible spaces and real‑time passenger information displays. Maintenance is performed at the dedicated hydrogen depot in Celle, where on‑site electrolyzers produce the required hydrogen using renewable electricity.

Environmental and Economic Impact

Life‑cycle analyses commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment indicate that the iLint reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 90 % compared with a comparable diesel multiple unit, assuming hydrogen is sourced from green electrolysis. Noise levels measured at 70 dB(A) during acceleration are roughly 10 dB lower than diesel counterparts, improving conditions for communities along the line. Although the upfront capital cost per vehicle is about 30 % higher than a diesel unit, operating costs are projected to fall by 15–