India Hydrogen Train: Green Rail Technology Explained

Why in News?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India’s first hydrogen-powered train at Jind, Haryana, on July 17, 2026.
• The train will run on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat railway section.
• According to Indian Railways, it is among the world’s longest and most powerful hydrogen trainsets.
• The project marks an important step towards green railway technology and low-emission public transport.

What is a Hydrogen Train?

A hydrogen train is a train that uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity for propulsion.

Unlike normal electric trains, it does not require overhead electric wires. Unlike diesel trains, it does not burn fossil fuel directly. Instead, it combines hydrogen and oxygen inside a fuel cell to generate electricity.

The electricity produced is used to power the train’s motors. The main by-products are water vapour and heat, making it a cleaner alternative to diesel-powered trains.

Hydrogen trains are especially useful on routes where full electrification may be costly or difficult.

India’s First Hydrogen Train: Key Features

India’s first hydrogen train is being introduced by the Indian Railways on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.

Key Details

• Route: Jind-Sonipat railway section
• Distance: 89 km
• Maximum operational speed: 75 km/h
• Passenger capacity: At least 682 passengers
• Train formation: 8 passenger cars and 2 driving power cars
• Total power: 2,400 kW
• Daily operation: Two round trips
• Total daily distance: 356 km
• Estimated hydrogen consumption: 300 kg per day
• Onboard hydrogen storage: 440 kg
• Project cost: ₹136 crore
• Work began: April 2022
• Operational sanction: May 22, 2026

The project was taken up by Northern Railway in 2020-21, and the tender was awarded to Hyderabad-based Medha, a company that supplies propulsion equipment to Indian Railways.

How Does a Hydrogen Train Work?

Normal electric trains draw electricity from overhead wires. Hydrogen trains generate electricity onboard.

In India’s hydrogen train, each of the two driving power cars has four integrated power packs.

Each power pack contains:

• Hydrogen fuel cell
• Lithium Ferro Phosphate battery

The fuel cell draws hydrogen stored onboard at high pressure and combines it with oxygen from the outside air. This chemical reaction releases electrical energy.

Power Generation System

• One power pack produces 300 kW of energy.
• Out of this, 115 kW comes from the hydrogen fuel cell.
• 185 kW comes from the lithium ferro phosphate battery.
• Four power packs in one driving car produce 1,200 kW.
• Since the train has two driving power cars, total power becomes 2,400 kW, or about 3,200 horsepower.

This is comparable to normal Electrical Multiple Unit and Diesel Electric Multiple Unit trains used for short-distance passenger movement.

Role of Fuel Cell and Battery

The fuel cell and battery work together to manage the train’s power requirement.

• When the train starts moving, it draws power from the fuel cell.
• At low speed, the train’s power demand is less, so extra electricity from the fuel cell charges the battery.
• When the train reaches higher speed and needs more power, the battery supports the fuel cell.
• When the train slows down near stations, battery usage reduces and surplus fuel cell energy again charges the battery.
• By the end of a full journey, the battery remains nearly 80% charged.

This hybrid system helps maintain efficiency and stable power supply.

Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Supply

Hydrogen is a clean fuel, but it is difficult to store and transport.

It is:

• Highly flammable
• Very light
• Difficult to compress and store
• Required to be stored at very high pressure

Normal atmospheric pressure is measured as 1 bar. Hydrogen for such systems is stored at around 200–500 bar.

To ensure fuel supply, Indian Railways has set up a 3,000-kg-capacity hydrogen fueling facility at Jind. A chiller plant has also been developed to cool hydrogen during dispensing. This helps in safer and more efficient refuelling.

The main fuel cell system has been imported from Ballard, a Canadian company specialising in hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Global Experience with Hydrogen Trains

Hydrogen train technology is still evolving globally.

• In 2016, French rolling stock company Alstom presented hydrogen train technology at an exhibition in Berlin.
• In 2018, Alstom’s Coradia iLint became the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train in Germany.
• Later, countries such as Japan, China and the United States also launched hydrogen-powered trains.

However, hydrogen trains have not yet expanded rapidly across the world. Most countries use them only on short routes because the technology is still developing for mass passenger and freight transport.

Why Hydrogen Trains Have Not Picked Pace Globally

Hydrogen trains have strong environmental potential, but several limitations slow their global adoption.

1. High Storage Risk

• Hydrogen is highly flammable and must be stored under high pressure, creating safety and engineering challenges.

2. Limited Hydrogen Production

• Green hydrogen production is still limited and expensive in many countries.

3. Transport Difficulty

• Hydrogen is difficult to transport because it needs specialised tanks, pipelines or compression systems.

4. Infrastructure Cost

• Fueling stations, storage systems, chillers and safety equipment require large investment.

5. Competition from Electrification

• On busy routes, direct railway electrification may be more efficient and cost-effective.

6. Technology Still Evolving

• Hydrogen train systems are still being tested for large-scale passenger and freight movement.

Significance for India

Green Railways

• Hydrogen trains can reduce dependence on diesel and support Indian Railways’ decarbonisation goals.

Clean Mobility

• They offer a low-emission option for short-distance routes where electrification may be difficult or costly.

Hydrogen Economy

• The project supports India’s wider ambition to develop a hydrogen-based clean energy ecosystem.

Technology Demonstration

• The Jind-Sonipat train will serve as a pilot project to test hydrogen rail technology under Indian conditions.

Reduced Fossil Fuel Dependence

• Hydrogen-based propulsion can help reduce diesel consumption and import dependence.

Make in India Potential

• With domestic firms such as Medha involved, the project can support indigenous capability in clean rail propulsion.

Challenges

• Hydrogen is highly flammable and needs strict safety standards.
• Storage at 200–500 bar requires advanced infrastructure.
• Fuel cell technology is still expensive.
• India currently depends on imported fuel cell components.
• Hydrogen production and supply chains are not yet fully developed.
• Green hydrogen remains costlier than conventional fuels.
• Future expansion depends on the performance of the first train.

Way Forward

• Develop domestic manufacturing of fuel cells and hydrogen storage systems.
• Expand green hydrogen production to make operations cleaner.
• Create safety standards for hydrogen storage, refuelling and railway operations.
• Use hydrogen trains first on non-electrified and short-distance routes.
• Compare long-term cost with diesel and electric alternatives.
• Build hydrogen refuelling infrastructure near selected railway corridors.
• Encourage collaboration among Indian Railways, industry, research institutions and clean energy companies.

Conclusion

India’s first hydrogen train is a major step towards cleaner railway transport and green mobility. It demonstrates the potential of hydrogen fuel cells in reducing emissions, especially on short-distance routes. However, hydrogen trains face serious challenges related to fuel storage, safety, cost and supply infrastructure. The success of the Jind-Sonipat project will determine whether Indian Railways can scale up hydrogen-based transport in the future. If supported by green hydrogen production and indigenous technology, hydrogen trains can contribute to India’s sustainable transport and energy transition goals.