Scotland’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train

By the end of 2021, Scotland is set to have its first train that runs on hydrogen power, through a collaboration between the Scottish government and engineering companies specializing in hydrogen fuel cell technology. Although this initiative has just been unveiled, it is anticipated that the train will be operational in just 10 months.

“Hydrogen traction power offers a safe, reliable, and zero-carbon alternative for Scotland’s rail network,” said Ben Todd, CEO of Arcola Energy, the company leading the program. “The hydrogen train project presents an excellent opportunity for industry leaders in hydrogen, rail engineering, and safety to collaborate with Scottish technology providers to develop a deployment-ready solution.”

Scotland has adopted a robust approach to combat climate change, aspiring to decarbonize all passenger rail services by 2035, which is five years ahead of the United Kingdom target of 2040. Moreover, Scotland has committed to decarbonizing flights within its borders by 2040.

“This project not only represents a crucial step in understanding the practical challenges of implementing hydrogen traction power on our railways but also serves as a prime example of the type of investment Scotland needs to capitalize on the opportunity of building a secure, flexible, cost-effective, and zero-carbon energy network,” said Clare Lavelle, Scotland Energy Business Lead at Arup, an engineering consultancy involved in the initiative.

Consequently, train travel has surged in popularity throughout Europe as travelers seek to reduce their carbon footprints. New research indicates that numerous train journeys across the continent are even faster than flying. Additionally, Europe’s network of night trains is anticipated to expand significantly over the coming years, connecting 13 major cities. Operators ranging from Spain to the Czech Republic are offering low-cost, no-frills train services to better compete with budget airlines.