Germany launches $92m world’s first hydrogen-powered trains

Germany has launched the world’s first passenger train network powered by hydrogen with investments reached 93 million euros ($92 million) to make its economy greener, German officials said on Wednesday.

The new 14-hydrogen trains have produced by French manufacturer Alstom as it will replace diesel trains in the state of Lower Saxony, the local transport authority of Lower Saxony (LNVG) said.

The trains will save 1.6 million litres of diesel fuel and thus reduce CO2 emissions by 4,400 tons per year, according to the LNVG.

The trains will have a range of 1,000 kilometres (621 miles), which means that a train can run for an entire day with a single tank of hydrogen.

The project has funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport as part of the National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.

The trains’ next stop will be in Frankfurt, eventually making their way to Italy and France.