photo: ALSTOM/The Coradia iLint
The Coradia iLint, the world's first hydrogen fuel cell passenger train, manufactured by Alstom, the world leader in green and smart mobility, has made its debut on the Railway Research Institute's test track in Żmigród, near Wrocław in Poland. Over two days, Alstom teams are presenting the train to a variety of local stakeholders, including regional operators, transport authorities, government decision-makers, and leading media, in order to highlight the potential of the Coradia iLint for sustainable transport in Poland. The showcase comes in the wake of the announcement of Poland’s National Recovery Plan, which includes provisions for the introduction of thirty low-emission trains for Polish regional operators by 2026.
Alstom Coradia iLint is a completely emission-free train that is quiet and emits only water vapor and condensation. The train features several different innovations: clean energy conversion and efficient energy supply and storage system combined with intelligent energy management. Designed specifically for use on non-electrified lines, it enables clean, sustainable train operations.
The Coradia iLint hydrogen train is specifically designed for use on non-electrified routes. Across the European Union, almost half (46%) of the railway is not electrified, which leaves lines that require diesel or alternatives – e.g. hydrogen. Coradia iLint uses the existing infrastructure without the need to invest in electrification. This is important for low-density lines. It provides clean and sustainable train operations while maintaining a high level of performance. This is of great importance for the environment – replacing one diesel regional train with a hydrogen train will reduce the yearly CO2 emission equivalent to 400 cars.
Alstom is the pioneer of sustainable and smart mobility with a full portfolio of green mobility solutions, world-first hydrogen train (Coradia iLint), as well as battery-electric trains (e.g. Coradia Continental BEMU). The innovative hydrogen technologies implemented by Alstom have been recognized by the industry. In 2021, the world's first hydrogen train Coradia iLint was honored with the European Railway Award 2021. Alstom together with its partners has proven that hydrogen propulsion is a reliable and emission-free alternative to diesel-powered regional trains on non-electrified lines.
Poland's hydrogen market is substantial as Poland is the fifth largest producer of hydrogen worldwide. It produces 14% of all hydrogen generated in Europe, which is used predominantly in industrial processes. Demand for this type of fuel is growing steadily and hydrogen could become a viable, clean, and widely available source of energy. As an important hydrogen producer in Europe, Poland has the opportunity to take advantage of this trend and develop its own technological and industrial solutions and to export hydrogen to other countries, e.g. Germany, which was the first in Europe to introduce hydrogen technology train for commercial use.
“The Coradia iLint trains represent a huge opportunity for Poland to reduce CO2 emissions and even decarbonize rail transport. Thanks to hydrogen-powered public transport, regional operators can be beacons of modern mobility, as experienced recently in Germany, The Netherlands, and Austria – that have tested and are implementing or planning to implement hydrogen trains. If Poland builds refueling stations and announces tenders for hydrogen trains, Alstom Konstal site will have all the tools necessary to manufacture such a fleet. The Coradia iLint is an exact copy of the best-selling Coradia Lint, which has been produced in Chorzów. The only difference is propulsion; diesel is replaced by fuel cells, which guarantee emission-free transport,” said Sławomir Nalewajka, Managing Director of Alstom in Poland, Ukraine, and Baltics.