A hydrogen railcar will go into operation on the Augsburg-Füssen line next year. The aim is to test an alternative to diesel.

The use of a hydrogen-powered train in the Augsburg region is drawing closer: A two-car railcar from Siemens is to be unveiled in the spring, and the train is scheduled to go into test operation on the line operated by Bayerische Regiobahn between Augsburg and Füssen from mid-2023. Passengers will probably be able to ride the train from January 2024. Siemens and BRB have now signed a leasing agreement to this effect. The plans became known last summer.

Hydrogen instead of diesel on the rail line between Augsburg and Füssen

There is largely no overhead line on the line from Augsburg to Allgäu, which is why only diesel railcars are currently in operation there. With “green” generated hydrogen, i.e. by using green electricity, almost emission-free operation would be possible. The hydrogen is not burned in the train, but converted into electricity via fuel cells on the roof, which drives electric motors. “This train is an important part of this strategy towards a ‘transport turnaround’ with hydrogen, which is why we are supporting this project,” said Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger. Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter said that in Bavaria, climate-neutral local rail transport should be achieved by 2040 at the latest. The test operation in the region is initially scheduled for 30 months.