Alstom has announced a temporary suspension of its hydrogen train development, citing the withdrawal of public funding and the technology’s immaturity, as confirmed by CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge in remarks to French media.
The firm stated it will complete all outstanding orders in France and the rest of Europe, and continue providing maintenance to its customers.
In France, 12 hydrogen-powered Régiolis trains have been ordered by regions including Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Occitanie, Grand Est, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The Coradia Stream H variant has also been acquired in Italy by Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE) and Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM), which signed a framework agreement for up to 14 units.
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Despite hydrogen being promoted as a zero-emission alternative to diesel and receiving support from the EU, the Coradia iLint has not entered trial service in France. It has faced technical issues in Germany, where RMV withdrew 18 units due to fuel cell failures.
Siemens Mobility and Stadler have also encountered difficulties with their hydrogen train designs.
Alstom has reassigned some of its research staff and is still negotiating with clients in three EU countries, but the lack of technological maturity and limited financial support cast doubt over the future of new hydrogen train orders in Europe.