Friday 24 July 2020

Alstom and Eversholt Rail invest £1m to get UK hydrogen train industry on track

Rail transport firm Alstom and leasing company Eversholt Rail have joined forces to fast-track the hydrogen train industry in the UK with a £1 million investment.

The funding will be allocated to the development of a new class of train, the first-ever hydrogen 600 series Breeze train.

The Breeze concept involves fitting fuel cells to Eversholt's electric trains, which will replace the UK's regional diesel fleets which operate across the country.

Breeze trains will be built at Alstom’s Widnes Transport Technology Centre, which will also become the firm’s worldwide centre for hydrogen conversion when this project reaches mass production.

The first train is expected to be in service in 2024.

Nick Crossfield, Managing Director, Alstom UK and Ireland, said: “It’s time to jump-start the UK hydrogen revolution. This bold move to back the government’s ambitions on hydrogen means we are the only game in town if you want a shovel ready British hydrogen train.”

Mary Kenny, CEO of Eversholt Rail, commented: "This further investment in the Breeze programme demonstrates our commitment to providing timely, cost-effective solutions to the identified need for hydrogen trains to support the decarbonisation of the UK railway.”

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