India Launches Hydrogen Train on Its Vast Railway Network
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The hydrogen rail push is part of a broader national effort to develop green hydrogen domestically, cut carbon from heavy transport, and reduce fuel import dependency.
India has just launched its first hydrogen-powered train: two hydrogen-powered driving cars, eight passenger coaches, a capacity of about 2,500 passengers, and a top speed of 47 mph (75 kph). Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the train, called the 'NaMo Green Rail,' and announced that “This is a very significant day in the direction of self-reliant India and sustainable development.”
India’s rail network is one of the world’s largest, with around 84,000 miles of track, and the vast majority is electrified. However, dirty diesel powers most of the unelectrified routes, and hydrogen trains can neatly replace polluting diesel locomotives without requiring those lines to be fully electrified first.
Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen. The only direct emission is water vapor. The pilot includes hydrogen storage and refueling infrastructure to test how the technology performs in India’s rail network before any wider rollout.
The launch is part of India’s wider efforts to develop green hydrogen and reduce carbon emissions. India has set a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, with Indian Railways exploring hydrogen as an alternative to diesel on some routes.