A 46-hour journey, 2.803 kilometers travelled, a single tank of hydrogen. These are the record numbers set by FLIRT H2, the hydrogen train developed by Stadler, a Swiss giant in the railway sector. A record that went around the world, ending up straight in the Guinness Book of Records and casting a new light on the future of rail mobility.
Because if it is true that the train is already the most environmentally friendly means of transport around, hydrogen promises to make it even more sustainable and efficient, relegating the diesel era to the past. But let's go in order and take a closer look at this revolutionary creature.
Hydrogen lightning
FLIRT H2: a name that says it all. FLIRT as “Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train”, a light fast train for intercity and regional routes. And H2 as the chemical formula of hydrogen, the fuel of the future that flows through the veins of this rail car.
Yes, because the beating heart of the FLIRT H2 are fuel cells, electrochemical devices that combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat and water. A clean and efficient technology, which is gaining more and more space in the transport sector, from automotive to nautical and, indeed, railways.
In the case of Stadler, we are talking about a hydrogen train with 12 fuel cells of 100 kW each, for a total power of 1,2 MW. A system capable of powering not only the traction motors, but also auxiliary services such as air conditioning, guaranteeing maximum comfort for passengers.
Hydrogen train, record autonomy
The real strength of the FLIRT H2, you will have understood, is its autonomy. Thanks to a mix of fuel cells, batteries and braking energy recovery systems, this hydrogen train can travel hundreds of kilometers on a single fill-up of hydrogen.
In its standard configuration, the declared range is 460 km. Already remarkable, but nothing compared to what was demonstrated during the record-breaking test conducted at the ENSCO test center in Pueblo, Colorado (USA). Here, a suitably modified example of FLIRT H2 has ground 2.803 km in 46 hours non-stop, shattering the previous record of 1175 km set by the Coradia iLint in 2022.
An undertaking made possible by a series of technical measures that Stadler did not want to reveal in detail, but which demonstrate the company's commitment to maximizing the efficiency of its hydrogen creature.
Hydrogen at the service of commuters
The FLIRT H2 is not just a record-breaking train, good for the pages of Guinness. Above all, it is a concrete and sustainable solution for everyday rail transport, particularly on non-electrified routes where diesel trains dominate today.
They know this well in California, where the San Bernadino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) has already purchased a first example of FLIRT H2 to be put into service on a suburban line of approximately 14 km. A trailblazer that could soon be followed by other orders, both in the USA and in Europe.
After all, the advantages of hydrogen trains are many. In addition to not emitting greenhouse gases and local pollutants, they guarantee greater flexibility compared to electric convoys, being able to also operate on non-electrified lines. Furthermore, they require rapid refueling times, in the order of 30 minutes, compared to the hours needed to recharge the batteries of exclusively electric traction trains.
Hydrogen train: what now?
With his record-breaking FLIRT H2, Stadler he didn't just set a record for its own sake. He sent a loud and clear message: the future of rail transport is zero emissions, and hydrogen is one of the protagonists of this revolution.
A revolution that starts a long time ago, from the pioneering experiments on hydrogen locomotives conducted already in the 30s. But today, thanks to progress in fuel cell technology and in the production and distribution of green hydrogen (i.e. obtained from renewable sources), it is finally gaining momentum.
It is no coincidence that more and more railway companies and rolling stock manufacturers are focusing on hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to diesel. From Alstom to Siemens, from Hitachi to CAF, the sector is in turmoil to develop increasingly high-performance and economical H2 trains.
Towards a hydrogen ecosystem
To fully realize the potential of hydrogen trains, it is not enough to have cutting-edge vehicles like Stadler's FLIRT H2. We need to create a real hydrogen ecosystem, made up of production, storage, transportation and capillary and efficient supply.
A complex puzzle, which requires the collaboration of multiple actors: from energy companies to transport operators, from institutions to research centres. But it can bring benefits that go far beyond the railway sector, contributing to the decarbonisation of the entire economy.
When do we leave?
