First hydrogen-powered train for Bavaria

From mid-2023, a hydrogen train will run through Bavaria for the first time on a test route between Augsburg and Füssen. Siemens Mobility and Bayerische Regiobahn have signed a contract for this. The Free State of Bavaria is funding the project.

C. Bernreiter - A. Neumann - A. Schuchmann - A. Schuchmann - H. Aiwanger ©Siemens — C. Bernreiter – A. Neumann – A. Schuchmann – A. Schuchmann – H. Aiwanger ©Siemens

The first hydrogen-powered train for Bavaria is taking form. On March 15, representatives of Siemens Mobility and Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) signed a leasing contract for the innovative prototype in the presence of Bavaria’s Economic Affairs Minister Hubert Aiwanger and Bavaria’s Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter. The contract is a follow-up to the letter of intent signed by all the participants in July 2021.

The two-car hydrogen-powered trainset of the latest generation will be presented to the public in the spring of 2022. The train will be tested on the Augsburg-Füssen route, among others, beginning in mid-2023. Pilot operations in the rail network of Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) are initially planned for 30 months. The train is expected to officially enter passenger service as of January 2024.

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Hydrogen becomes a pillar of climate protection

Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger says: “Green hydrogen is becoming a supporting pillar for global climate protection in the areas of transport, industry and energy. As Minister of Economics and Energy, I am pleased that our Bavarian hydrogen strategy can address more and more concrete issues. This train is an important part of this strategy towards a “transport breakthrough” with hydrogen, which is why we are supporting this project. I am convinced that with green hydrogen we can significantly reduce pollutant emissions in heavy and rail transport and contribute to decarbonization. In addition, unilateral dependence on energy supplies can be reduced and distributed to many regions of the world.”

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Financial support is more than well invested

Bavarian Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter explains: “I am delighted that we will soon be able to use this innovative technology in Bavaria and also test it in regular operation. Together with our partners, we are launching this flagship project because we are convinced that hydrogen can make an attractive and even climate-neutral contribution to local passenger rail transport. We want to achieve this goal by 2040 at the latest. The financial support of the pilot project with several million euros from the Free State is more than well invested.”

The latest generation of hydrogen trains

Albrecht Neumann, CEO Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility: “Our Mireo Plus H is a hydrogen train of the latest generation. It features high propulsion power, acceleration capabilities and a long range. In this way, we are making operational rail traffic faster, more efficient, greener and more comfortable with hydrogen propulsion. Hydrogen propulsion is an advanced, emission-free form of propulsion for trains that enables the decarbonization of rail transportation and contributes significantly to our climate goals.”

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Bayerische Regiobahn wants to accompany people on their climate-friendly journeys

Arnulf Schuchmann, CEO of Bayerische Regiobahn, says: “Bayerische Regiobahn sees itself as a reliable mobility partner for the people of Bavaria and wants to accompany them on their climate-friendly journeys every day. We are also thinking about the future and are therefore happy to be contributing today to setting the course for the mobility of tomorrow. Despite our commitment to the project, we are looking forward to testing in our network and gaining knowledge about the use of hydrogen technology in the rail sector. Together with the Transdev Group, of which we are a part, and our entire team on site, we will prepare everything in the best possible way to enable a smooth start of testing next year.”

The hydrogen train was developed based on Siemens Mobility’s Mireo Plus platform. The main components of the hydrogen drive are roof-mounted fuel cells. The system is complemented by state-of-the-art underfloor batteries from Saft. In addition to a hydrogen version, the Mireo is also available with conventional electric drive or as a battery train.

The development of alternative drives in rail transport is part of Siemens Mobility’s sustainability strategy. The company is a pioneer in sustainable mobility.