This is an excellent move in the rail industry and sustainable transport as Stadler’s FLIRT H2, a hydrogen-powered train, has made a Guinness World Record.
The train traveled 1,741.7 miles (2,803 kilometers) without needing to refuel or recharge, a record that makes it the longest distance a hydrogen-powered passenger train has traveled to date. This fifty-hour voyage is the shift in hydrogen technology in transportation and proves the concept of long-distance emission-less travel.
How this record-breaking hydrogen train is changing the future of transportation
The record-breaking journey of FLIRT H2 started on March 20, 2024, at the ENSCO test center in Pueblo, Colorado. This train was in motion for more than 46 hours but never had to stop for refueling or recharging.
It traveled a distance that marked a new record in hydrogen-powered trains and opened the door for even more efficient and extended rail travel. The success of this trip proves that the hydrogen fuel cell technology can deliver the amount of power required for long-distance travel without emission of greenhouse gases.
For Stadler, this is a significant achievement. Still, it is a significant milestone for the entire rail industry as it demonstrates that hydrogen can be a credible substitute for diesel and electric-powered rail vehicles. This journey has been completed to lay the foundation for hydrogen to take its rightful place for zero-emission public transportation.
Stadler’s FLIRT H2, presented to the public at the InnoTrans 2022 exhibition in Berlin, is a modern hydrogen-powered train based on the familiar FLIRT commuter train design but with a new fuel cell and storage system added.
This integration makes it possible for the train to run generally without having to use the regular fuel, which is fossil-based. After the tests in Switzerland and the USA, FLIRT H2 proved efficient, resulting in a record attempt.
The FLIRT H2 proves hydrogen technology can revolutionize green transportation
The FLIRT H2 is designed in a way that it can operate in both hydrogen and battery electric mode, therefore it can switch between the two depending on the optimal energy consumption during the journey. This kind of power supply arrangement minimizes the dependency on external power supply, thus making the FLIRT H2 very flexible and robust for any type of rail system.
This vehicle’s capacity to go for long distances while delivering high performance without polluting the environment makes it a model in green transport.
The success of the FLIRT H2 underlines that hydrogen is a clean energy of the future. Such trains as FLIRT H2 with hydrogen fuel can bring tangible changes in the carbon footprint of rail transportation and improve the sustainability of the transport network.
Since the transportation industry is one of the biggest culprits of greenhouse gas emissions, shifting to low or no-emission vehicles is one way of addressing climate change.
Apart from the outstanding performance, interest in this world record has attracted rail operators worldwide. Stadler has already secured orders for hydrogen trains in places such as California, and there are current contracts for narrow-gauge hydrogen trains to Italy.
The success of FLIRT H2 puts Stadler at the forefront of building the future of clean rail transport, and what can be stated is that there is great potential for the use of hydrogen in the rail transport industry in the next few years.
Stadler’s vision for hydrogen trains is a game-changer in sustainable transport
This historic achievement is part of Stadler’s strategy to radically transform rail transit with green power and new drive solutions. The first record for alternative propulsion was in 2021 when the battery-electric FLIRT Akku train established its record.
Once again, Stadler takes the next step towards more environmentally friendly trains with the FLIRT H2, demonstrating that hydrogen can be the key to sustainable public transportation.
With the world looking for environmentally friendly means of transport, Stadler’s focus on hydrogen-powered trains could revolutionize rail transport. As orders rise and interest intensifies, hydrogen-powered trains such as the FLIRT H2 will be a frequent sight on rail networks all around the globe, helping to shape a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable transport future.