H2ISTORY  
in Lower Saxony

The world’s first hydrogen-powered train in scheduled service.

Silent. Clean. Climate-friendly: In summer 2022, the world’s first permanent hydrogen train service launched in Lower Saxony / Germany – operated by evb on its own rail network. Step by step, we are replacing all diesel units with the hydrogen fuel cell train Coradia iLint. And everyone can be part of it! All for the price of a regular railway ticket.

Most of the trains operated by evb between Buxtehude – Bremervörde – Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven are already hydrogen trains. Occasionally, LINT41 diesel trains still support passenger services on the RB33. You can find the timetable for the RB33 on the evb website (www.evb-elbe-weser.de).

So close is
way ahead.

H2ISTORY  
in Lower Saxony

The world’s first hydrogen-powered train in scheduled service.

Silent. Clean. Climate-friendly: In summer 2022, the world’s first permanent hydrogen train service launches in Lower Saxony / Germany – operated by evb on its own rail network. Step by step, we are replacing all diesel units with the hydrogen fuel cell train Coradia iLint. And everyone can be part of it! All for the price of a regular railway ticket.

+++ World record with evb hydrogen train: On 15 September 2022, a team by manufacturer Alstom drove one of the hydrogen trains owned by LNVG and operated by evb to a world record: 1175 kilometres with a single hydrogen tank filling. Congratulations! +++

So close is
way ahead.

Travel the Elbe-Weser Triangle
by Hydrogen Train

All new – and yet familiar:

From the outside, the hydrogen train Coradia iLint resembles the ALSTOM Lint 41 railcars passengers of evb regional rail already know.

But from a technical perspective, there is a lot that is new: Whisper quiet propulsion by electric motor. Exhaust-free travel powered by fuel cells. More seats and increased comfort for passengers: sockets for charging notebooks and mobile phones as well as large displays for up-to-date passenger information are all standard in the Coradia iLint.

Travel the Elbe-Weser Triangle
by Hydrogen Train.

All new – and yet familiar:

From the outside, the hydrogen train Coradia iLint resembles the ALSTOM Lint 41 railcars passengers of evb regional rail already know.

But from a technical perspective, there is a lot that is new: Whisper quiet propulsion by electric motor. Exhaust-free travel powered by fuel cells. More seats and increased comfort for passengers: sockets for charging notebooks and mobile phones as well as large displays for up-to-date passenger information are all standard in the Coradia iLint.

Facts + figures about the hydrogen train Coradia iLint

Power Station
on Wheels.

The hydrogen train Coradia iLint does not need an overhead line: It generates its own electricity from clean hydrogen. As a result, the iLint does not only run as quiet as a whisper, but is also 100 per cent emission-free – and climate-friendly to the max. Instead of exhaust gases, the Coradia iLint emits only vapour and a little condensation water. (Image: BR654 prototype in blue finish). 

By the way:

The hydrogen train is “high-tech from the region”. Built in Salzgitter/Lower Saxony, developed in Salzgitter and Tarbes/France, ordered and acquired by the Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen mbH LNVG, maintained and operated in Northern Germany’s Elbe-Weser triangle by evb, based in Bremervörde.

How the hydrogen train works

Fuel Cell

A fuel cell on the train roof generates electricity from hydrogen and oxygen.

­

Battery

A battery stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell as well as through recuperation of kinetic energy during braking. An intelligent energy management system ensures that the electricity on board is used efficiently and economically at all times, making sure that there is always ample energy for acceleration, heating, onboard hygiene (WC) and comfort.

Kraftwerk
auf Rädern.

The hydrogen train Coradia iLint does not need an overhead line: It generates its own electricity from clean hydrogen. As a result, the iLint does not only run as quiet as a whisper, but is also 100 per cent emission-free – and climate-friendly to the max. Instead of exhaust gases, the Coradia iLint emits only vapour and a little condensation water. (Image: BR654 prototype in blue finish.)

Übrigens: Der Wasserstoffzug ist „Hightech von hier“. Gebaut in Salzgitter, entwickelt in Salzgitter und Tarbes/Frankreich, bestellt und erworben durch die Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen mbH (LNVG), gewartet und eingesetzt im Elbe-Weser-Dreieck von der evb mit Sitz in Bremervörde.

How the hydrogen train works:

Fuel Cell

A fuel cell on the train roof generates electricity from hydrogen and oxygen.

Battery

A battery stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell as well as through recuperation of kinetic energy during braking. An intelligent energy management system ensures that the electricity on board is used efficiently and economically at all times, making sure that there is always ample energy for acceleration, heating, onboard hygiene (WC) and comfort.

Frequently Asked
Questions

In this section, we have compiled frequently asked questions and answers about the hydrogen train Coradia iLint operated by evb regional rail on its own rail network.

The world’s first hydrogen train in regular scheduled service is operated by evb on assignment from the Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG). The name “evb” does not only stand for “Eisenbahnen und Verkehrsbetriebe Elbe-Weser” (“Elbe-Weser Railways and Transport Company”). It stands for an entire group of companies – and for an attitude: So close is way ahead!

Operating the world’s first hydrogen trains in scheduled service? That surely is way ahead. And still, we always remain close to our passengers and our home region, the Elbe-Weser triangle.

With more than 550 dedicated employees, we transport 2 million passengers by rail and 4 million passengers by bus to their respective destinations – safely, climate-friendly and year after year. Like this, we also fulfil a crucial service for society.

In addition, we operate our own rail network with 235 kilometres of track, as well as our own repair facilities for trains and buses.

In freight transport, the evb Group operates multiple sites all over Germany with locations in Hamburg, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven, and Regensburg, among others.

As shareholders, we have stakes in numerous transport and logistics companies in northern Germany. We ourselves are more than 80 percent owned by the state of Lower Saxony.

By the way: As an employer, we are always looking for committed colleagues who want to be way ahead with us! Find out more on our website: www.evb-elbe-weser.de/karriere/

Before the start of official operations on 24 August, 2022, we ran through a final introductory phase with the production railcars, beginning 25 July 2022. From September 2018 to February 2020, ALSTOM’s Coradia iLint prototype from was put through its paces in regular service on the evb network Media all over the world reported on it. Just like the regular service beginning in 2022, the test phase from 2018 to 2020 was a world first. After evb, other transport associations and companies in Germany and other countries will also use hydrogen technology in their regular services.

The Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen mbH (LNVG) has acquired 14 hydrogen trains of the Coradia iLint type. They are operated by evb on the RB33 line (Cuxhaven – Bremerhaven – Bremervörde – Buxtehude) and successively replace the conventional Coradia Lint 41 diesel trains. As production takes time, evb has not received all 14 trains. As of August 2022, 5 Coradia iLint are in operation. Soon, the number of hydrogen trains will be expanded, until all the diesel trains are replaced.

The start of regular hydrogen-based rail service on the evb network – the world”s first! – is planned for the end of August 2022. Final test runs take place as part of an introductory phase from the end of July.

As an energy source for the hydrogen train, we currently use a by-product from the chemical industry, thus tapping an otherwise unused resource. In the future, we will produce hydrogen on site in Bremervörde by electrolysis, using electricity generated by wind power. It doesn’t get greener than that!

At the world’s first hydrogen filling station for trains in Bremervörde / Lower Saxony. The hydrogen filling station was built in July 2020 by German manufacturer Linde and will be operated by the same partner.

The hydrogen train is made in Germany at the ALSTOM plant in Salzgitter/Lower Saxony. It was developed at the sites in Salzgitter and Tarbes/France. Maintenance is carried out by evb in its service facilities in Bremervörde (during the initial phase, together with ALSTOM).

The Coradia iLint is 54 metres (177 feet) long – 13 metres longer than its predecessor, the Coradia Lint 41.

The hydrogen technology used in the hydrogen train is exceptionally safe. To ensure long-term safety, the vehicles are maintained and repaired by a team of specialists from ALSTOM and evb.

Sure, if there is free capacity! The Coradia iLint has 4 bicycle spaces per railcar – and in double traction (with two hydrogen railcars behind each other) even 8. However, the transport of wheelchairs or prams has priority. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the transport of bicycles.

The Coradia iLint hydrogen train in the evb network has 155 seats per railcar. When two of these railcars run in double traction behind each other, the number of seats increases to 310 – 30 seats more than with the Coradia Lint 41 diesel railcars used so far.

Yes, the hydrogen train has wireless LAN – just like the other Lint trains in evb’s service. There are also 230V sockets for charging cellphones, notebooks etc. at the seats.
The acronym “Lint” stands for „Leichter Innovativer NahverkehrsTriebwagen“ („Light innovative railcar for regional rail”). The suffix “i” in “i-Lint” represents “intelligence” and alludes to the state-of-the-art concept and efficient energy management on board. All in all, “iLint” means “intelligent and light innovative railcar for regional rail”.

Frequently Asked
Questions

In this section, we have compiled frequently asked questions and answers about the hydrogen train Coradia iLint operated by evb regional rail on its own rail network.

The hydrogen train is made in Germany at the ALSTOM plant in Salzgitter/Lower Saxony. It was developed at the sites in Salzgitter and Tarbes/France. Maintenance is carried out by evb in its service facilities in Bremervörde (during the initial phase, together with ALSTOM).

At the world’s first hydrogen filling station for trains in Bremervörde / Lower Saxony. The hydrogen filling station was built in July 2020 by German manufacturer Linde and will be operated by the same partner.

As an energy source for the hydrogen train, we currently use a by-product from the chemical industry, thus tapping an otherwise unused resource. In the future, we will produce hydrogen on site in Bremervörde by electrolysis, using electricity generated by wind power. It doesn’t get greener than that!

The start of regular hydrogen-based rail service on the evb network – the world”s first! – is planned for the end of August 2022. Final test runs take place as part of an introductory phase from the end of July.

The Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen mbH (LNVG) has acquired 14 hydrogen trains of the Coradia iLint type. They are operated by evb on the RB33 line (Cuxhaven – Bremerhaven – Bremervörde – Buxtehude) and successively replace the conventional Coradia Lint 41 diesel trains. As production takes time, evb has not received all 14 trains. As of August 2022, 5 Coradia iLint are in operation. Soon, the number of hydrogen trains will be expanded, until all the diesel trains are replaced.

Before the start of official operations on 24 August, 2022, we ran through a final introductory phase with the production railcars, beginning 25 July 2022. From September 2018 to February 2020, ALSTOM’s Coradia iLint prototype from was put through its paces in regular service on the evb network Media all over the world reported on it. Just like the regular service beginning in 2022, the test phase from 2018 to 2020 was a world first. After evb, other transport associations and companies in Germany and other countries will also use hydrogen technology in their regular services.

The Coradia iLint is 54 metres (177 feet) long – 13 metres longer than its predecessor, the Coradia Lint 41.

The world’s first hydrogen train in regular scheduled service is operated by evb on assignment from the Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG). The name “evb” does not only stand for “Eisenbahnen und Verkehrsbetriebe Elbe-Weser” (“Elbe-Weser Railways and Transport Company”). It stands for an entire group of companies – and for an attitude: So close is way ahead!

Operating the world’s first hydrogen trains in scheduled service? That surely is way ahead. And still, we always remain close to our passengers and our home region, the Elbe-Weser triangle.

With more than 550 dedicated employees, we transport 2 million passengers by rail and 4 million passengers by bus to their respective destinations – safely, climate-friendly and year after year. Like this, we also fulfil a crucial service for society.

In addition, we operate our own rail network with 235 kilometres of track, as well as our own repair facilities for trains and buses.

In freight transport, the evb Group operates multiple sites all over Germany with locations in Hamburg, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven, and Regensburg, among others.

As shareholders, we have stakes in numerous transport and logistics companies in northern Germany. We ourselves are more than 80 percent owned by the state of Lower Saxony.

By the way: As an employer, we are always looking for committed colleagues who want to be way ahead with us! Find out more on our website: www.evb-elbe-weser.de/karriere/

The hydrogen technology used in the hydrogen train is exceptionally safe. To ensure long-term safety, the vehicles are maintained and repaired by a team of specialists from ALSTOM and evb.

Sure, if there is free capacity! The Coradia iLint has 4 bicycle spaces per railcar – and in double traction (with two hydrogen railcars behind each other) even 8. However, the transport of wheelchairs or prams has priority. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the transport of bicycles.

The Coradia iLint hydrogen train in the evb network has 155 seats per railcar. When two of these railcars run in double traction behind each other, the number of seats increases to 310 – 30 seats more than with the Coradia Lint 41 diesel railcars used so far.

Yes, the hydrogen train has wireless LAN – just like the other Lint trains in evb’s service. There are also 230V sockets for charging cellphones, notebooks etc. at the seats.
The acronym “Lint” stands for „Leichter Innovativer NahverkehrsTriebwagen“ („Light innovative railcar for regional rail”). The suffix “i” in “i-Lint” represents “intelligence” and alludes to the state-of-the-art concept and efficient energy management on board. All in all, “iLint” means “intelligent and light innovative railcar for regional rail”.

Virtual Tour
Discover the New iLint

Experience the hydrogen train Coradia iLint from a passenger’s perspective: Our virtual tour makes it possible. Take a look!

For the full hydrogen train experience, a train ticket is all you need. Enjoy a whisper-quiet and climate-friendly train ride through the Elbe-Weser triangle!

So close is way ahead.

Virtual Tour
Discover the new iLint

Experience the hydrogen train Coradia iLint from a passenger’s perspective: Our virtual tour makes it possible. Take a look!
So close is way ahead.

Press

Here we provide you with pictures and background information about the hydrogen train on the evb network.

You may use the texts, pictures and videos provided here free of charge for the purpose of providing information about the hydrogen train (also on social media). When doing so, please state the full photographer or video credit.

Press release about the hydrogen train world premiere (DE)

Press release about the hydrogen train world premiere (EN)

Picture gallery: Hydrogen train in Bremervörde
Download:LoRes (.zip, 26 MB) | MedRes (.zip, 32 MB) | HiRes (.zip, 229 MB)
(Foto-Credit: evb / Sabrina Adeline Nagel)

Picture gallery: World premiere hydrogen train in Bremervörde (August 24, 2022)
Download: MedRes (.zip, 24 MB)
Dropbox-Link: hier klicken zum Ansehen und Herunterladen | WeTransfer-Link: hier klicken
(Foto-Credit: evb / Sabrina Adeline Nagel)

Video: Hydrogen train in Bremervörde
Full HD (252,1 MB) | 4K on request
(Video-Credit: evb)

Contact for Media and Press

Andrea Stein (evb)
+49 4761 9931-452  |  andrea.stein@evb-elbe-weser.de

Dirk Altwig (LNVG)
+49 511 53333-180  |  altwig@lnvg.de

Press

Here we provide you with pictures and background information about the hydrogen train on the evb network.

You may use the texts, pictures and videos provided here free of charge for the purpose of providing information about the hydrogen train (also on social media). When doing so, please state the full photographer or video credit.

Press release about the hydrogen train world premiere (DE)

Press release about the hydrogen train world premiere (EN)

Picture gallery: Hydrogen train in Bremervörde
Download:LoRes (.zip, 26 MB) | MedRes (.zip, 32 MB) | HiRes (.zip, 229 MB)
(Foto-Credit: evb / Sabrina Adeline Nagel)

Picture gallery: World premiere hydrogen train in Bremervörde (August 24, 2022)
Download: MedRes (.zip, 24 MB)
Dropbox-Link: hier klicken zum Ansehen und Herunterladen | WeTransfer-Link: hier klicken
(Foto-Credit: evb / Sabrina Adeline Nagel)

Video: Hydrogen train in Bremervörde
Full HD (252,1 MB) | 4K on request
(Video-Credit: evb)

Contact for Media and Press

Andrea Stein (evb)
+49 4761 9931-452  |  andrea.stein@evb-elbe-weser.de

Dirk Altwig (LNVG)
+49 511 53333-180  |  altwig@lnvg.de

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