Maiden voyage for India’s first hydrogen train signals the country’s ambitions in this area
Strategy targets domestic production of 5 million tonnes of hydrogen by 2030 but concerns remain over technological bottlenecks
India’s first train powered by green hydrogen travelled an 89km route in Haryana state on 17 July, marking the latest initiative in the country’s energy transition. India is now the sixth country to develop hydrogen trains and the first developing one.
The 10-coach demonstrator train that can carry 2600 passengers was flagged off by prime minister Narendra Modi. As of 25 Jul, it has travelled over 1200km, saving more than 3200 litres of diesel, the government notes. It joins a limited number of hydrogen buses that are being tested in a few Indian cities, including Leh and Delhi, with 10 more routes planned