The aim is to test a completely new overall system consisting of a newly developed train and a newly designed filling station.
Siemens Mobility is developing a two-car commuter train, called the Mireo Plus H, which will have a state-of-the-art hydrogen drive system. It consists of a fuel cell and a lithium-ion battery. The Mireo Plus H will be as powerful as electric multiple-unit trains and have a range of 600 km – depending on operating conditions such as the season or the route. A three-car version will have a range of 1,000 km.
According to Siemens, low life-cycle costs due to low maintenance and repair costs and a top speed of 160 km/h are the vehicle’s distinguishing features. The hydrogen for the train will be produced by electrolysis in a DB Energie mobile filling station at the DB Regio plant in Tübingen, Germany.
Trial operation between Tübingen, Horb, and Pforzheim will begin in 2024 and last for one year. Approximately 120,000 km of scheduled rail service are planned. The Mireo Plus H from Siemens will replace a diesel railcar used on this route and save about 330 tons of CO2.
This video provides a behind the scenes look at the traction testing of the new Mireo Plus H, which is being carried out at Siemens Mobility’s system test center in Nuremberg, Germany.
Read more about Siemens Mobility’s rail decarbonization plans in the July issue of Electric & Hybrid Rail Technology.