Swiss rail vehicle manufacturer Stadler has firmly backed the project to transition the Zillertal railway to hydrogen propulsion, emphasizing its conviction about the promising and fast-progressing mobility project. This move comes in response to recent media reports and ongoing debates surrounding the project’s feasibility.
A Robust Endorsement for Hydrogen Trains
In a recent press release, Stadler made it clear they support the realization of the hydrogen train for Zillertal, asserting it’s a “promising and rapidly advancing mobility project.” The Zillertalbahn railway aims to order five hydrogen trains from Stadler for an estimated cost of 100 million euros.
Stadler’s affirmation was prompted by current media reporting that, according to the company, had presented the debate about the project in a misleading context.
Stadler: Committed to the Hydrogen Model Region
“We have always been convinced that the hydrogen train is the right solution for Zillertal within the hydrogen model region,” says Ansgar Brockmeyer, Stadler’s Head of Marketing and Sales. It’s worth noting that Brockmeyer recently raised eyebrows by criticizing the project in a Swiss newspaper. He was quoted saying, “Hydrogen only makes sense if there is no alternative in the form of electrification or battery.”
Despite this, Stadler’s recent statement underscores the firm’s belief in the importance of hydrogen-powered rail vehicles in the battle against climate change. “The hydrogen train for Zillertal is a great opportunity for us to make a significant contribution to this,” the company highlighted.
A Key Contribution to Sustainable Mobility
The endorsement from Stadler, a key player in the rail vehicle manufacturing industry, marks a crucial turn in the ongoing debates about the future of sustainable rail transport. The hydrogen train project is not just a regional endeavor but could potentially contribute to the wider efforts toward climate neutrality in the transport sector.
