The announcement this summer that the Lower Saxony transport authority was ordering battery-powered trains rather than hydrogen trains caused a stir. But the decision in no way calls into question hydrogen trains, in Germany or elsewhere. LMH2 (Le Mans Hydrogène), an event gathering 750 professionals around hydrogen, which will be held on 27 September, will be an opportunity to get the subject back on track.

The event, of which Hydrogen Today is a partner, will close with a session on hydrogen and rail. Speakers will include Stéphane Kaba, IPCEI Hydrogen Program Director at Alstom; Philippe Perrier, Head of the ‘Hydrogen Train’ Technical Project Unit – SNCF* Equipment Engineering Centre at SNCF Mobilités; and Philippe Tardivon, Regiolis H2 Project Manager at SNCF. The session is scheduled to take place on 27 September from 4.30pm to 5pm.

Unjustified buzz

The round-table discussion on hydrogen trains is a regular feature of this symposium, which focuses on mobility. It will be all the more keenly followed since many observers have been led to believe that the hydrogen train is being called into question in Germany, the very country that has promoted this type of mobility. This is simply not true. Alstom has never claimed that hydrogen trains meet all needs. Besides, it is in line with the LVNG, which would rather equip some lines in the Land with battery-powered trains.

The media buzz has taken Alstom by surprise. All the more since the German train – the iLint Coradia – will continue to operate in this same region of Germany. The round table on 27th will therefore be an opportunity for Stéphane Kaba to point out that the group has all types of trains in its portfolio, both electric and hydrogen-powered. And within the latter family, there is the 100% hydrogen train (as in Germany, Italy and Quebec) and the dual-mode electric-hydrogen train, as in France.

The SNCF also supports hydrogen trains

As for the SNCF, it shares the view that hydrogen meets specific needs, and that in other cases electric power may be the best solution. Each use has its own type of energy. The session will therefore be an opportunity to talk about the Regiolis H2, ordered by several French regions. It is due to arrive in 2025. The Pays de la Loire region is keen to try it out.

Hydrogen trains (passenger and freight transport) will be in the spotlight at the Le Mans Hydrogène event. But so will heavy mobility, non-road vehicles, aviation and, of course, motor racing.

To register for LMH2, click here.

*SNCF: The ‘Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer français’ is French for “National Society of the French Railways.” The SNCF is France’s national state-owned railway company.

Do you want to learn more about hydrogen trains? Then our latest 2 articles on the subject should interest you. You can read them here and there. 

Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King