The Ministry of Climate Protection is supporting the development of a hydrogen-powered narrow-gauge train in Austria with a €3.1m grant through the Climate and Energy Fund.

As part of the ‘HyTrain’ lighthouse project, Austria is currently developing the train which includes a hydrogen powertrain and a system for refuelling the train with green hydrogen.

“Green hydrogen is an exciting option for emission-free trains. Hydrogen is a particularly valuable energy source – we will have to use it exactly where we need it most. For this we are working on a hydrogen strategy in Austria and researching possible applications in traffic with projects like HyTrain,” said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler.

The hydrogen drive train will be tested on a test bench at the Hydrogen Centre Austria (HyCentA) and then used in real operation with an electric railcar from the Zillertal Railway.

Horst Steinmüller, chairman of the WIVA P&G Association, commented, “The importance of public transport will become more important in the future. For this, hydrogen as an energy source for a fuel cell will be an important alternative both on the road, and on rail and water.”

The “HyTrain” project is part of the flagship region Austria Power & Gas and is being developed by the strategy and project development company FEN Sustain Systems GmbH with an Austrian consortium. The consortium partners are Zillertaler Verkehrsbetriebe AG, HyCentA Research GmbH in Graz, Molinari Rail Austria GmbH in Jenbach and WIVA P&G.