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SNCF signs with Alstom for hydrogen trains

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France has become the latest nation to embrace hydrogen propulsion for rail with the acquisition of electric-hydrogen trains from Alstom.

In a contract valued at around €190m, French rail operator SNCF has ordered 12 Coradia Polyvalent trainsets with options for two more. The order, which secures over 2,000 jobs in France for Alstom and its suppliers, is in line with SNCF’s phase out of regional diesel express trains by 2035.

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“France has everything it needs to become a hydrogen champion: the French government is fully committed to turning this ambition into reality,” said Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, Minister Delegate for Transport, French Ministry of the Ecological Transition. “We will be covering €47m of development costs for France’s first regional hydrogen-powered train. I am delighted that this support has enabled the four partner regions to confirm their order for the first 14 trains.”

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