The first Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains from Siemens Mobility have received authorization for passenger operation. The approval comes in time for the scheduled timetable change on December 15. The authorization marks a milestone for emission-free mobility in the Berlin-Brandenburg and Bavarian regions, where hydrogen-powered trains will be used for the first time.
"We offer electric, battery, and hydrogen trains based on the ultra-modern Mireo platform and have completed the development of our innovative and environmentally friendly Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains right on schedule. The first of these trains will now be entering passenger service and we are delighted to be a driving force behind the phasing out of diesel trains. This transition will reduce CO2 emissions and provide passengers in Germany with climate-friendly, powerful, and comfortable trains,” said Andre Rodenbeck, CEO of Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility.
Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn Betriebsgesellschaft will operate seven Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains on the Heidekrautbahn line in Berlin-Brandenburg. These trains will save 1.1 million liters of diesel fuel annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 3,000 tons. Locally produced hydrogen will be used in the trains’ fuel cells, and water vapor will be the only emitted byproduct. In addition, recovered braking energy will be used to increase the trains’ energy efficiency further.
The Mireo Plus H, named “Freistaat Bayern”, will replace diesel trains at Bayrische Regiobahn (BRB) for two and a half years as of Monday, December 16. Test operations will begin in stages, starting with selected runs in the East Allgäu-Lechfeld network. Operations will later be expanded and the train will then also run on the Ammersee-Altmühltal network. The new Mireo Plus H provides an environmentally friendly, quiet, and efficient alternative to diesel propulsion, scheduled to be fully phased out in Bavaria’s regional rail system by 2040.
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