Alternative rail concepts are increasingly taking center stage in light of climate change. Why is the focus on rail so important?

Michael Peter: When it comes to reducing CO2 emissions, the transportation sector bears a particularly heavy responsibility. We can expect a significant multiplier effect here. The electrification of rail transport is crucial in this regard. Of course, there are also challenges here that we need to find solutions for.

What challenges are you referring to?

Not all routes can be supplied with electrical power via overhead line systems. This is especially true, for example, where tunnels and bridges make it difficult to install an overhead line system. In such cases, electrification becomes costly and time-consuming. That’s why we need to find environmentally friendly solutions for the non-electrified sections.

And that’s exactly what you’re working on right now?

Yes, the solutions are already available. We’re talking about hybrid solutions. For example, trains that run on electricity but can switch to another mode when they need to traverse sections of track that aren’t electrified. Or trains that are specifically designed for longer, non-electrified routes. That’s exactly why we developed the Mireo Plus H.

What makes the Mireo Plus H so special?

The Mireo Plus H is based on our successful Mireo platform. What sets the Mireo Plus H apart is its hydrogen-powered drivetrain. A powerful and safe lithium-ion traction battery supports the fuel cell during driving and recovers braking energy. Specifically, this means that instead of drawing power directly from the overhead lines, the drive system obtains its electrical energy from a fuel cell powered by hydrogen stored in tanks on the roof. The result: locally emission-free mobility in areas where electrification has not yet been implemented.

What does the future hold? When and where will the Mireo Plus H operate?

In collaboration with Deutsche Bahn (DB), we are working to bring hydrogen to the rails. As part of the joint “H2goesRail” project, DB is currently developing a hydrogen refueling station. This project will create the necessary conditions for the smooth operation of our Mireo Plus H. We officially unveiled the train in early May 2022, and in 2024 we’ll begin trial operations on the Tübingen–Horb–Pforzheim route. In addition, together with the Bavarian State Government, we have signed a memorandum of understanding for a trial operation in Bavaria starting in 2023. The climate-friendly transportation transition on the railways is thus in full swing.

What were the reasons for choosing hydrogen?

Hydrogen is a sustainable energy source. However, hydrogen production is currently cost-intensive and often cannot yet be carried out without emitting pollutants. Costs will decrease in the future, though, and hydrogen production will also become increasingly environmentally friendly. That’s why it’s all the more important to prepare hydrogen trains for daily operation now. Green hydrogen is clean—and when combined with a fuel cell, there are very few moving parts subject to mechanical wear and tear. This significantly simplifies maintenance and reduces lifecycle costs for operators.

The range of the Mireo Plus H is another key factor: Diesel has traditionally been “famous” for its long ranges, but the Mireo Plus H is also quite competitive in other respects. It is powerful, reaches high speeds of up to 160 km/h, and has a maximum range of up to 1,000 kilometers—a distance that most regional rail operators expect from a train.

How much CO2 can be saved by using hydrogen trains?

Over the lifetime of a Mireo Plus H, the train saves up to 15,000 metric tons of CO2 compared to a diesel unit when powered by green hydrogen. With a CO2 price of 55 euros per metric ton starting in 2025, operators would consequently save approximately 825,000 euros in operating costs. Compared to cars as an alternative mode of regional transportation, emissions can be reduced by as much as 45,000 metric tons of CO2 over the life cycle of a train.

What is the potential of hydrogen trains?

Currently, around 15,000 diesel-powered rail vehicles are in operation in Europe, running primarily on non-electrified routes. Whether battery- or hydrogen-powered trains: we have the solution. It’s about finding the right and sustainable solution for every scenario. The Mireo Plus H is an excellent alternative to diesel technology. We’re working with great enthusiasm to prepare the trains for further testing and subsequent passenger service.