Eco Friendly trains operational by 2026

Swiss rail company Stadler has secured its first European order for hydrogen-powered trains. Italian rail operators ARST and FdC have ordered 10 and 15 of these trains respectively, to run on regular routes in Italy.

The FLIRT H2 trains are like the ones around Lake Geneva and the new Swiss Federal Railways trains. Instead of electricity, they use hydrogen fuel cells to make power. This process creates only water and electricity, making them eco-friendly and aiming for climate-neutral public transportation, especially on non-electric rail lines.

Stadler had earlier received a similar order from the US for use in California. These Italian orders mark the second regular use of hydrogen trains in Europe after Alstom’s 27 trains in Frankfurt.

These narrow-gauge hydrogen trains are a global first for Stadler and could lead the way for eco-friendly transport on similar lines worldwide. The exact cost isn’t disclosed, but EU funds are helping the Italian operators make this green switch. The trains are planned to start running by 2026.