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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Trains (Zero-Emission Rail)

Hydrogen-powered passenger trains using PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen, with batteries for peak load leveling, replacing diesel power on non-electrified lines. The world's first commercial hydrogen passenger train service launched in 2018 in Lower Saxony, Germany using Alstom's Coradia iLint. Hydrogen trains avoid overhead catenary infrastructure costs on low-traffic lines while producing zero emissions. Key components: hydrogen fuel cell stack (PEM technology, from suppliers like Ballard Power Systems or Hydrogenics), high-pressure hydrogen tanks (350-700 bar), battery buffer, and traction system. Key manufacturers: Alstom (iLint/Coradia iLint), Siemens (Mireo Plus H), CRRC (China), Stadler (FLIRT H2).

Source countries

Companies

Goods affected

Claims on record

Where it comes from

Source countries

Share of global supply, by country.

Country	Share of supply
FRFrance	50%
CHSwitzerland	20%
DEGermany	15%
CNChina	10%

Who makes it

Supplier companies

5 companies produce hydrogen fuel cell passenger trains (zero-emission rail).

Alstom SA(ALO.PA)

HQ FR60% share

French rail technology company; major global signaling supplier through its Alstom Digital Mobility division (formerly Bombardier Transportation's signaling, acquired 2021 for €5.8B). Major global market positions: ETCS (European Train Control System), CBTC for metro systems, and some North American transit PTC. Not a significant player in US Class I freight PTC (Wabtec's I-ETMS dominates). Alstom manufactures trains (TGV high-speed, Coradia regional, Citadis trams) and signaling systems. Also owns the SEA (Southeast Rail) signaling business in North America. Financially challenged: ~€15B debt load post-Bombardier acquisition; stock under significant pressure 2023-2024.

Stadler Rail AG

HQ CH20% share

Swiss rail vehicle manufacturer; produces FLIRT H2 hydrogen passenger train. Won US San Bernardino County Transportation Authority order -- the first US commercial hydrogen passenger rail contract. Also manufactures battery-electric and conventional trains. ~25% of global hydrogen passenger train deployments as of 2024.

Siemens AG

HQ DE15% share

German industrial conglomerate. SINAMICS drive family (S120 series) manufactured at the Erlangen Electronics Factory (GWE plant, named WEF Digital Lighthouse). SIMOCRANE software provides crane-specific control layered onto SINAMICS. Dominant crane drive supplier for ZPMC-built port cranes globally. SINAMICS is also used in nuclear power plant cooling, rail traction, and wind turbine applications — same hardware platform across critical infrastructure.

CRRC Corporation Limited(601766)

HQ CN5% share

World's largest rail vehicle manufacturer (by revenue and fleet size). Has developed hydrogen train prototypes including the CRH2H hydrogen EMU. Commercial hydrogen train deployment limited as of 2025 (primarily pilot programs). Dominates Chinese rail market. CRRC's hydrogen program part of China's broader hydrogen mobility push.

Siemens Mobility

HQ DE

German railway technology company (Siemens AG subsidiary); major global signaling supplier and rolling stock manufacturer. Siemens Mobility signaling division serves metro systems (CBTC), mainline (ETCS), and some North American transit PTC. In North America, Siemens has competed for Amtrak and commuter rail signaling contracts. Also manufactures Amtrak's Acela II high-speed trains (ACS-64 locomotives for Northeast Corridor). Siemens had a proposed merger with Alstom (2017-2019) that was blocked by EU regulators on competition grounds.

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