The start of testing hydrogen trains on French railways will begin in four regions as early as 2023.
The trains will be built by French industrial group Alstom and run on hydrogen or electricity, a joint statement said. They are designed to run up to 600 kilometers on a single hydrogen charge and "should start operating in 2025," said Jean-Baptiste, head of Alstom FranceEimo.
The contract is worth € 190 million ($ 225 million) for the first 12 trains, which will carry 218 passengers and will be evenly divided between four regions in the east and south of France.
Alstom first tested prototypes in Germany three years ago and has now begun the commercial phase with 41 orders for the 72-metre trains. A fuel cell mounted on the roof leads toengines.
Today, SNCF operates 1,100 diesel-powered regional express trains, which are scheduled to be phased out by 2035.The company is also testing alternative technologies based on "green" fuel from rapeseed. Hydrogen is considered a leader in the race to develop sustainable energy sources and reduce carbon emissions.
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