The first test runs have recently taken place in Bavaria of a Siemens Mobility Mireo Plus H Hydrogen-powered train for service with Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) in Germany.

It is planned that the two-car trains will enter passenger service in mid-2024 Augsburg and Füssen and Augsburg and Peissenberg, with there being an initial 30 pilot operations of the train. A partnership agreement to develop the train was signed by Siemens Mobility and the State of Bavaria in 2021.

The new train is based on Siemens Mobility’s proven Mireo regional train platform, but is hydrogen-powered, and has two roof-mounted fuel cells and a lithium-ion battery to ensure they are completely carbon-free. Their combined hydrogen energy supply system and electric drive produce 1.7 MW traction power with an acceleration of up to 1.1 m/s² and a top speed of 160 km/h.

Once its tank has been filled with hydrogen, the train has an operating range of between 1,000 and 1,200 km, and can be refuelled in just 15 minutes. When compared with other fuel cell trains, the Mireo Plus H has the lowest lifecycle costs on the market.

With a monocoque, welded lightweight aluminium structure the Mireo is designed to be energy-saving and environmentally friendly. Energy resources and emissions are also improved by the aerodynamic design, use of energy-efficient components, and intelligent electrical system management.

Karl Blaim, Managing Director and CFO of Siemens Mobility said: “Partnering with the State of Bavaria, we have reached an important milestone today for the future of alternative drive systems for trains. Our hydrogen-powered Mireo Plus H train will operate completely emission-free between Augsburg, Füssen and Peissenberg. With this train, we are offering a sustainable solution for rail routes that are not electrified.”

Bavaria’s Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter commented: “By conducting 30 months of passenger operations, we will test the hydrogen train under a full range of everyday conditions. The results of these tests will then determine whether we decide to use hydrogen-powered trains on additional routes in Bavaria. Our goal is to end diesel operations in Bavaria’s local and regional rail passenger transport by 2040. In addition to electrifying routes and using battery-powered trains, hydrogen propulsion can be an important factor in achieving this goal.”

Bavaria’s Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger added: “With this first hydrogen train, Bavaria is taking another step towards a hydrogen future. By implementing the pilot project together with our partners Siemens and Bayerische Regiobahn, we are making the hydrogen future a tangible experience and at the same time gaining key practical know-how for the broad application of sustainable hydrogen innovations.”

Arnulf Schuchmann, Managing Director of Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB), said: “Today we can experience the Siemens Mobility hydrogen train live on a normal line for the first time, and are preparing intensively for passenger operations next year.

“As the second largest railway company in Bavaria, we are especially pleased with the confidence that politicians, the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft and Siemens Mobility have shown in entrusting us with the test operations. Green hydrogen is an additional climate-friendly solution for local passenger transport. As part of the Transdev Group, we attach great importance to environment protection and are happy to support innovative, future-focused projects.”