In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable rail transport, Stadler has secured two framework agreements with Italian railway operators Azienda Regionale Sarda Trasporti (ARST) and Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC) for the supply and maintenance of hydrogen trains. Under the agreements, Stadler will deliver 10 hydrogen trains to ARST in Sardinia and 15 similar vehicles to FdC in Calabria, marking the world's first introduction of narrow-gauge hydrogen trains.
The hydrogen-powered trains, equipped with fuel-cell technology, will be dedicated to regional and suburban services, operating on the narrow-gauge network (950-mm) in the two Italian regions. The projects are funded by EU funds from Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
The initial call-off orders under the framework agreements consist of 6 hydrogen trains each for ARST and FdC. The vehicles will be designed, manufactured, and maintained at Stadler's headquarters in Bussnang, Switzerland. This achievement comes shortly after Stadler's delivery of the FLIRT H2, the world's first hydrogen-powered train, for passenger transport in the United States.
“The new narrow-gauge trains with hydrogen propulsion are a world premiere and will pioneer sustainable rail transport on narrow-gauge lines worldwide. We would like to thank ARST and FdC for their trust in us and look forward to expanding our partnership even further in the future,” said Ansgar Brockmeyer, Executive Vice President of Marketing & Sales of Stadler.
The trains consist of two passenger carriages made of lightweight aluminium for improved energy efficiency, and a power pack containing fuel cells and hydrogen tanks. These state-of-the-art vehicles are approximately 50 meters long and offer comfortable seating for 155 passengers, including designated areas for passengers with reduced mobility, wheelchairs, prams, and bicycles.
