Hydrogen on track for passenger and freight rail
Europe leads way with passenger trains while North America focuses on locomotives for freight
It may be early days in the development of hydrogen-powered trains and locomotives but their future is bright as net-zero emission commitments by governments around the world pile on the pressure to decarbonise passenger and freight rail systems. Diesel continues to dominate global rail transport, accounting for nearly 60pc in 2019, with electricity accounting for the rest. Hydrogen is aimed at rail routes which are difficult to electrify and out of range for batteries. “There are two ways to decarbonise hard to electrify train routes, battery power for distances up to around 120km, although that can be impacted by factors such as topography and number of stops, and hydrogen for routes longe
Also in this section
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
2 February 2026
As a fertiliser feedstock, it is indispensable, but ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free energy carrier is also making it central to global decarbonisation strategies
28 January 2026
The development of hydrogen’s distribution system must speed up if the industry is to stand any chance of grabbing a meaningful slice of the low-carbon energy market
14 January 2026
Continent’s governments must seize the green hydrogen opportunity by refining policies and ramping up the development of supply chains and infrastructure
