India Successfully Tests First Hydrogen-Powered Train Coach, Sets Global Records

 

India has taken a giant leap in sustainable rail transport by successfully testing its first hydrogen-powered coach—also known as the Driving Power Car—at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. This marks a significant milestone for Indian Railways as the country races ahead in green technology adoption for public transportation.

In 2023, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha that the Indian Railways aims to run 35 hydrogen-powered trains under the “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative. Each train is expected to cost ₹80 crore, with ₹70 crore allocated for route infrastructure on heritage and hill sections.

Adding to its green ambitions, Indian Railways awarded a pilot project worth ₹111.83 crore to retrofit a hydrogen fuel cell onto an existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake. This train is slated to run on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana under Northern Railways.

With the successful trial run at ICF, Indian Railways has announced that it now owns the world’s most powerful hydrogen train, featuring a 1600 HP engine. The train has also set global records with a passenger capacity exceeding 2,600 and a rake length comprising 10 units—2 hydrogen-powered engines and 8 non-air-conditioned trailer coaches.

The first operational deployment will be on the Jind–Sonipat route, positioning India as a global leader in hydrogen-powered rail technology. This initiative not only boosts India’s green mobility goals but also showcases its engineering capabilities on the world stage.

Railway officials and the ministry have called this development "future-ready," underlining its potential to revolutionize rail travel across India’s diverse terrains and heritage lines.