Indian Railways is set to flag off India’s first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trainset, a train that generates its own electricity onboard using hydrogen, the cleanest fuel known. It produces near-zero emissions at the point of use. This milestone marks the latest chapter in the evolution of how Indian Railways has powered its trains, reflecting India’s broader journey from coal and steam to cleaner, more sustainable sources of energy.
Over the past 12 years, rapid electrification has significantly reduced dependence on imported diesel, paving the way for the next leap in clean rail mobility. Today, with over 99% of Broad Gauge routes electrified, Indian Railways is taking that journey a step further. Unlike conventional electric trains that draw power from overhead lines, the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trainset generates electricity onboard through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapour as its only by-product.
In a sense, the train once again carries its own source of power, as steam and diesel locomotives once did. But instead of burning traditional fuels such as coal or diesel, hydrogen generates electricity inside the train using oxygen from the atmosphere, eliminating combustion and dependence on an external power supply. As electricity is generated onboard through clean hydrogen technology, the train represents the greenest form of rail propulsion, powering the future of sustainable mobility. To complement this advanced propulsion system, India has equipped the train with multi-layer safety systems capable of detecting hydrogen leaks, heat, flames and smoke. With an operational speed of 75 kmph on the Jind–Sonipat section and a design speed of 110 kmph, the train is not only safer but also faster on this 89 km route.
Most hydrogen passenger trains currently operating globally comprise only two or three coaches and are primarily deployed on short regional routes. In contrast, the Indian Railways trainset has been configured as a 10-coach passenger train with a capacity of around 2,600 passengers, demonstrating the scalability of hydrogen-powered rail transport for high-capacity passenger operations.
