California places near-$130m order for six more hydrogen trains for intercity lines

Caltrans is set to initiate the operation of hydrogen-powered trains in 2027. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) recently finalized a $127 million deal with Swiss manufacturer Stadler for the procurement of six hydrogen trains dedicated to intercity railways. This agreement follows a previous $80 million contract for four units signed in October of the preceding year, with an option to expand the total number of ordered trains to 25.

The financing for both acquisitions originated from a $10 billion zero-emission vehicle package approved by the California state government in 2022. Within this package, $407 million was earmarked for the acquisition or leasing of environmentally friendly bus or rail infrastructure. Caltrans envisions the commencement of hydrogen train operations in 2027, beginning with the deployment of the initial units on a route connecting Merced and Sacramento, spanning over 100 miles. This route, part of the "Valley Rail" extension, integrates with the existing Altamont Corridor Express and Amtrak San Joaquins lines.

Stadler has already supplied the inaugural H2 trains, utilizing its hybrid Zero-Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU) rail vehicle, which operates on both a fuel cell and a battery. These trains were delivered to the San Bernardino County Transit Authority, planning to establish a hydrogen refueling and storage facility and commence train operations by the year's end.

The CEO of Stadler highlighted that the U.S. could be a substantial market for hydrogen trains, particularly due to the extended distances of non-electrified routes, which can span hundreds of kilometers. Meanwhile, California is concurrently investing in the electrification of its railways. Caltrain, a commuter railway operator, is undergoing testing on its newly electrified corridor between San Jose and San Francisco, a project initiated in 2017 with a budget exceeding $2 billion. Services on this electrified route are scheduled to commence in the upcoming autumn.

While trains powered by overhead lines are generally perceived as more cost-effective than hydrogen-powered units, as they experience fewer efficiency losses by directly using electricity, some rail operators have expressed concerns about the time-consuming nature of electrification projects. This has led to a demand for zero-emission trains in the short term to meet climate targets.