Historic day for French state railways (Sncf), which accelerate towards the energy transition. The transalpine railway company has signed two separate agreements: the first with the train manufacturer Alstom for the hydrogen trains and a second with the energy group Edf for the supply of renewable electricity with a duration of twenty years. The two agreements, Sncf sources specify, “are in line with the will of the entire group to make the train the definitive solution for sustainable mobility”.
Hydrogen trains for regional transport
The regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Burgundy-Franche-Comté, Grand Est and Occitanie sign the very first order of dual mode trains electric-hydrogen in France. This marks a historic step in reducing CO2 emissions from rail transport for the benefit of passengers and regions and in developing a hydrogen ecosystem as well as a promising sector for the future.
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Acting on behalf of the four regions, Sncf Voyageurs (in practice the French Trenitalia) placed an order with Alstom for the first 12 dual mode electric-hydrogen trains (plus two optional trains) of the Coradia Polyvalent range for regional transport, developed by Alstom . The contract is worth almost 190 million of Euro.
The trains will offer a total capacity of 218 seats and the same dynamic performance and comfort as the diesel-electric version with a range of up to 600 km on non-electrified sections of the line. Other regions have already expressed their interest in participating in the project as a second phase, initiating a revolution in French rail mobility and contributing to the goal of the energy transition, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and noise, an issue supported by the French state. through its hydrogen plan launched in June 2018.
“France has everything it needs to become a champion of hydrogen: the French government is fully committed to making this ambition a reality,” says Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, Minister for Transport of the French department for ecological transition.