Overview: India Steps Into the Hydrogen Rail Era
Indian Railways is set to launch the country’s first hydrogen-powered train, marking a historic leap toward zero-emission, future-ready rail transport in India.
The train—developed and tested at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai—uses hydrogen fuel cells and is being positioned among the world’s most powerful and longest hydrogen trains, with a 1,200HP powertrain and capacity for roughly 2,600 passengers.
The inaugural service is slated for the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana, chosen for infrastructure readiness and as a scalable testbed for wider adoption across non-electrified and heritage corridors.
The initiative places India alongside global leaders like Germany, France, Sweden, and China in deploying hydrogen rail technology.
What Exactly Is a Hydrogen-Powered Train?
A hydrogen train uses a fuel cell system that combines hydrogen with oxygen to generate electricity, emitting only water vapor and heat at the point of use—making it a zero tailpipe-emission solution for rail mobility.
In the Indian pilot, a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake is being retrofitted with hydrogen fuel cells and integrated systems to power traction motors and onboard systems.
Hydrogen storage, compression, dispensing, and electrolyser-based production infrastructure are being established to support smooth refueling and operations.
Why Hydrogen Trains Matter for India
Hydrogen trains enable decarbonization of non-electrified and heritage routes where electrification is challenging, aligning with India’s clean energy transition goals.
They reduce reliance on diesel, cut local air pollutants, and lower noise—particularly valuable in environmentally sensitive and tourist-heavy hill corridors.
The “Hydrogen for Heritage” program targets sustainable rail experiences on iconic routes while advancing indigenous green-tech capabilities.
Key Specifications and Features
Indian Railways’ hydrogen train is being built to be among the world’s longest and most powerful hydrogen rolling stock, integrating high-capacity fuel cells, batteries, and hydrogen storage.
Top-line specs shared by officials and reports include a 1,200HP power rating, ~2,600 passenger capacity, top speed up to 110km/h, and a 10-coach configuration in retrofitted form.
ICF Chennai has successfully tested the “Driving Power Car” hydrogen coach, demonstrating progress toward full-train integration and rollout.
First Route: Jind–Sonipat, Haryana
The pilot service will operate on the Jind–Sonipat section under Northern Railway’s Delhi Division, with ground infrastructure designed specifically for safe and rapid hydrogen refueling.
A dedicated 1MW PEM electrolyser in Jind will produce approximately 430kg/day of green hydrogen to fuel operations, complemented by 3,000kg storage, compression, and twin dispensers with pre-coolers for quick turnarounds.
The route length is approximately 89–90km, enabling multiple daily cycles and providing robust operational data for scaling across the network.
“Hydrogen for Heritage”: Scaling the Vision
Under the “Hydrogen for Heritage” program, Indian Railways plans a fleet of 35 hydrogen trains, enabling clean mobility on heritage and hill routes where electrification may be constrained.
Budgetary planning has targeted around ₹80 crore per train and about ₹70 crore per route for refueling and maintenance infrastructure—reflecting substantial capex to build a national hydrogen rail ecosystem.
Officials also highlighted development of five hydrogen fuel cell-based tower cars (maintenance vehicles) to support upkeep and operations on these specialized corridors.
Timeline: From Trials to Launch
Third-party safety audits involving TÜV SÜD were indicated for readiness, with earlier expectations for trial runs in late 2024 and an initial rollout target around March 31, 2025, subject to technical validation.
ICF Chennai conducted successful testing of the first hydrogen-powered coach in July 2025, with the Railway Minister sharing visual proof of progress on social media.
Reports also noted schedule adjustments as engineers optimized fuel cell capacity and performance for hill operations, underscoring the rigors of deploying first-of-its-kind rolling stock at scale.
The Technology Under the Hood
The pilot train is a hydrogen fuel cell retrofit of an existing DEMU, integrating fuel cells, high-voltage batteries, hydrogen storage, thermal management, power electronics, and safety systems.
RDSO (Research Design & Standards Organisation) led design specifications and validation frameworks to ensure safety, interoperability, and reliability under Indian operating conditions.
System integration milestones included synchronizing fuel cell units with battery packs and traction systems—a critical step for stable power delivery and regenerative braking.
Refueling and Hydrogen Production
Hydrogen will be produced onsite via a 1MW PEM electrolyser at Jind, reducing logistics and enabling predictable, cleaner supply aligned with renewable power availability.
The Jind facility includes storage for 3,000kg hydrogen, compression systems, and dual dispensers with pre-cooling to maintain refueling speed and safety in varied climatic conditions.
This integrated approach is designed to validate end-to-end hydrogen rail operations—from production to track deployment—within Indian Railways’ ecosystem.
Environmental and Economic Impact
At point of use, hydrogen trains emit only water vapor, cutting local particulate and NOx emissions compared to diesel traction on non-electrified routes.
Officials note that early-stage running costs may be higher but are expected to decline as scale improves and hydrogen production ecosystems mature in India.
For sensitive terrains and tourist corridors, lower noise and zero tailpipe emissions provide compelling public health and experiential benefits.
Challenges and Engineering Learnings
Testing revealed that hill route operations at near-maximum loads and in extreme temperatures require robust fuel cell capacity and optimized thermal management, prompting iterative upgrades before wider rollouts.
Achieving consistent top speeds (e.g., 110km/h) in mountainous terrain under heavy loads necessitates system tuning and, in some cases, speed moderation until next-gen configurations arrive.
Such learnings are typical of first-generation deployments and inform the design of subsequent prototypes and production units tailored to Indian corridors.
How India Compares Globally
With this program, India joins a select group of nations fielding hydrogen trains, alongside Germany, France, Sweden, and China, while developing what officials describe as one of the world’s longest and most powerful configurations.
The domestic development at ICF and RDSO’s specifications highlight a Make in India approach that reduces import dependence and prioritizes local capability-building.
The pilot’s integrated production–storage–dispensing model and maintenance vehicles add a systems-level maturity akin to global best practices.
What Riders Can Expect
Passengers on the Jind–Sonipat pilot can expect modern, quieter journeys with a visibly cleaner footprint, as the technology emits only water at the tailpipe.
Operational data from daily cycles will help fine-tune schedules, dwell times for refueling, and passenger comfort metrics before broader expansion.
Future extensions to heritage routes are intended to enhance the tourist experience while protecting fragile ecosystems along iconic rail journeys.
Investment, Budget, and Scale
Reports and official statements indicate per-train costs around ₹80 crore and per-route infrastructure investments near ₹70 crore, reflecting the capital intensity of pioneering a hydrogen rail backbone.
The pilot retrofit, including ground infrastructure on the Jind–Sonipat section, carries a project cost of approximately ₹111.83 crore.
As production scales and electrolyser costs fall, total cost of ownership is expected to improve—especially if paired with renewable energy for green hydrogen.
Milestones So Far
Safety audits and integration tests progressed through 2024, with ICF Chennai successfully testing the first hydrogen-powered coach (Driving Power Car) in mid-2025.
The Railway Minister shared video updates highlighting the 1,200HP train development and India’s move into the top-tier of hydrogen rail innovators.
Multiple outlets reported targets around March 2025 for rollout, with subsequent adjustments tied to performance improvements and route-specific demands.
Looking Ahead
Following Jind–Sonipat, deployment is envisaged across heritage and hill routes such as Shimla–Kalka and others, once performance criteria and infrastructure readiness are confirmed.
The long-term ambition is to make hydrogen a viable complement to electrification, expanding India’s decarbonized rail footprint while building domestic supply chains for hydrogen tech.
If India achieves reliable, cost-competitive operations, it could emerge as a global reference for hydrogen rail in emerging markets with similar route profiles.
SEO-Focused Takeaways
India’s first hydrogen-powered train is a landmark in green mobility, bringing zero tailpipe emissions, quieter rides, and indigenous innovation to Indian Railways.
The pilot on the Jind–Sonipat route, powered by a 1MW electrolyser and supported by 3,000kg hydrogen storage, is designed to validate an end-to-end hydrogen ecosystem.
With 35 trains planned under “Hydrogen for Heritage,” India aims to scale clean transportation on challenging and heritage routes while maturing its hydrogen infrastructure and standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will India’s first hydrogen train launch?
Reports indicated targets around March 31, 2025 for rollout, subject to testing and optimization, with additional updates as integration milestones were achieved at ICF Chennai.
What is the first route for the hydrogen train?
The inaugural service is planned on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana under Northern Railway’s Delhi Division.
How powerful is the train and how many passengers can it carry?
The train is being developed at 1,200HP and designed to carry roughly 2,600+ passengers, positioning it among the most powerful hydrogen trains globally.
What are the environmental benefits?
Hydrogen trains emit only water vapor at the point of use, eliminating tailpipe CO2 and reducing local pollutants and noise compared to diesel traction.
Who designed and built the train?
Specifications were prepared by RDSO, and the retrofit and coach testing were carried out at ICF Chennai, with integration and safety validation supported by audits and trials.
How is hydrogen supplied and refueled?
A 1MW PEM electrolyser in Jind will produce about 430kg/day of hydrogen, supported by 3,000kg storage, compression, and twin dispensers with pre-cooler integration for quick refueling.
What is the “Hydrogen for Heritage” program?
It’s an Indian Railways initiative to deploy 35 hydrogen trains on heritage and hilly routes with dedicated infrastructure to decarbonize challenging corridors.
Will the train run on hill routes like Kalka–Shimla?
Reports indicate plans and testing considerations for heritage hill routes; performance upgrades are being implemented to ensure reliable operations under steep gradients and extreme conditions.
What are the estimated costs?
Estimates suggest about ₹80 crore per train and ₹70 crore per route for infrastructure, with a pilot retrofit and infrastructure project cost near ₹111.83 crore for Jind–Sonipat.
How does this place India on the global stage?
India joins a small group of countries operating hydrogen trains, advancing one of the longest and most powerful configurations while building a domestic hydrogen rail ecosystem.