Coradia iLint: First North American Hydrogen-Powered Train Began Services in Canada

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 28 June 2023, 10:06 pm

A first for North America, the Coradia iLint hydrogen-powered train recently began its first trip earlier this June debuted in Quebec, and soon service the Réseau de Charlevoix railway network this summer. This hydrogen-powered train ushers in a new era of clean energy mobility that substitutes the use of diesel as fuel for its transportation needs.

The latest train development centers on the effort to bring clean energy transportation using alternative fuel sources, but would be only a short-term demonstration in the region.

Coradia iLint Hydrogen-Powered Train Debuts in Quebec, Canada

(Photo : Alstom)

Alstom introduced the latest clean energy train, also the first for North America, via its latest press release. This is called the Coradia iLint hydrogen-powered train, and it began its first service in Quebec, Canada, last June 17.

The train connected the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency in Quebec City to Baie-Saint-Paul, right along the UNESCO-listed Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve and St. Lawrence River. It ran on the 55-mile (90-kilometer) stretch which is already a service offered in the region.

It generates its energy using the fuel cells from Accelera by Cummins from Ontario and is powered by green hydrogen produced by Harnois Énergies in Quebec City.

According to Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom America, "Hydrogen technology offers an alternative to diesel and demonstrates our ability to provide more sustainable mobility solutions to our customers, agencies, and operators, as well as passengers."

"It will also provide an extraordinary showcase for Quebec's green hydrogen ecosystem, which is under development," he added.

Short-Demonstration to Loan the Hydrogen-Powered Train

Engadget claims that this would only be a short demonstration that would loan the hydrogen-powered train to the railway network, for three months starting this summer. However, it would also assess the trips and transportation to further develop the clean-energy train, hopefully, soon available for public transportation use.

Clean and Alternative Transportation

While public transportation is considered to be the more efficient and environmentally-friendly way how to go about places, it still brings emissions that are harmful to the planet. After looking to change this on private vehicles, the next goal is to bring it for public transportation, from multiple ventures amongst different companies.

One of the most looked-into developments is utilizing hydrogen for different transportation needs as a substitute for fuel or traditional electricity sources.

Researchers and collaborations put massive efforts into this, particularly with hydrogen capture technologies that could extract the element from the air and water to use as fuel.

Despite different ventures and companies, they have one common goal and it is to change the way energy is used or produced in various situations.

The first hydrogen-powered train in Northern America may only be piloting for three months, but this will help in introducing the clean energy transportation option in the Quebec region, and hopefully, one for the future.