India debuts hydrogen powered train, joins small global club

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the country’s first hydrogen powered train on Friday, placing India among a small group of nations that have adopted the zero emission clean fuel technology for rail travel.

India now joins Germany, Japan, China and the United States in operating hydrogen powered trains, which release only heat and water vapor as byproducts, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel locomotives.

The ten coach train set, capable of carrying 2,600 passengers, will run twice daily between the cities of Jind and Sonipat in the northern state of Haryana, which borders the national capital of Delhi. After flagging off the train on its 90 kilometer route, Modi said India would keep working to improve efficiency, cut costs and expand the hydrogen rail network in the years ahead.

A government statement released Thursday said the project combines advanced propulsion technology with dedicated infrastructure for hydrogen storage, refueling and daily operations.

Engineers designed, built and developed the train set entirely within India, and officials expect it to reach a maximum speed of 75 kilometers per hour, powered by a 1,200 kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.

India has already electrified nearly all of its 70,000 kilometer broad gauge rail network, one of the largest in the world, as part of a broader push to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its railway operations by 2030.

The launch marks a significant step in India’s effort to diversify its clean energy transportation options beyond electrification alone. While electrified rail has formed the backbone of India’s decarbonization strategy for years, hydrogen technology offers an alternative path for routes or applications where full electrification proves less practical, giving policymakers additional flexibility as they work toward the 2030 target. The introduction of domestically designed and manufactured hydrogen trains also reflects a wider global trend among railway operators seeking to reduce reliance on diesel power, particularly on regional and shorter distance routes, as governments face mounting pressure to cut transportation emissions and meet international climate commitments.