In Italy, 4 regions have announced tenders for a total of €600.5 million for the supply of hydrogen and battery-powered trains.
Such trains must use only "green" hydrogen, which is produced without burning fossil fuels, according to RailTech.
The article noted that back in 2020, Ferrovie Nord Milano, Alstom and energy producer Snam signed an agreement to use hydrogen trains on the railway network in Lombardy for the Brescia-Iseo-Edolo railway line.
Hydrogen trains
The authors said that the Sardinian Regional Transport Company (ARST) has published a tender for the supply of 3 hydrogen traction units with the possibility of 5 additional units for the capital of the island of Sardinia, Cagliari. The estimated cost of trains, full service and spare parts amounts to €111.5 million. The project is partially financed by Italy's National Investment Plan.
It is noted that in the Calabria region of southeastern Italy, Ferrovie Della Calabria has published a tender for the supply of 5 water-powered cars for the capital Catanzaro by December 31, 2026. The tender also takes into account the possibility of delivery of 3 additional trains and full service. Its value reaches €110 million.
The article emphasized that the purchase of 5 trains will be financed by the EU from the post-pandemic recovery and resilience fund.
The authors added that on the island of Sicily, Circumetnea Railway has issued a tender for the supply, commissioning and full service of 15 hydrogen traction units for the 111-kilometer narrow-gauge line around Mount Etna. Diesel trains are currently running on the section. The estimated cost of the tender reaches €267 million. The necessary amount will come from the Supplementary Fund to Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Accumulator trains
The article noted that the United Transport Company of Abruzzo (TUA) has published a tender for the supply of 10 bimodal electric/battery trains at an estimated cost of €112 million for the railway in Pescara. Trains must travel 130 kilometers autonomously on a non-electrified section.
The authors emphasized that the Italian government has allocated €500 million for the development of green hydrogen production.
Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that in Germany, the diesel trains of the LNVG regional connection were replaced by the first ones in the world trains on 100% hydrogen engine.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, the first in the world was released in China city train on a hydrogen engine, which has a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
