The world's first hydrogen passenger ship

The world's first hydrogen-powered passenger train is expected to enter service in Germany in 2017.

Prototype of the Coradia iLint spacecraft. Photo: Science Alert.

French transport company Alstom introduced to the public the world's first hydrogen-powered passenger train called "Coradia iLint" at the InnoTrans trade show in Berlin, Germany from September 20 to 23, Science Alert reported.

Coradia iLint is very quiet over long distances and is environmentally friendly, producing no greenhouse gas emissions but only emitting condensate and excess water vapor into the atmosphere.

According to Die Welt, the German state government of Lower Saxony has ordered 14 Coradia iLint trains from Alstom to run on the Buxtehude, Bremervörde, Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven lines. The inspection and approval procedures will be carried out by the end of this year. The trains will officially enter service in December 2017.

The Coradia iLint's main energy sources are hydrogen stored in tanks on the roof and oxygen from the air. The chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen takes place in a separate chamber, producing energy that is used directly and stored in lithium-ion batteries located on the underside of the ship.

The train has a fairly low noise level compared to diesel trains. The maximum speed of the train can reach 140 km/h, the longest distance traveled is up to 800 km with the capacity to transport 300 passengers per trip.

Germany plans to use 60% renewable energy by 2050. The Coradia iLint will replace 4,000 diesel trains in Germany today, bringing the country closer to its target.

According to VNE