In February, Swiss rail manufacturer Stadler and the state of California agreed to a $127 million deal to build six additional zero-emission, hydrogen-powered passenger trains.
The deal complements an initial partnership in which the parties agreed last October for four trains worth $80 million and an option to acquire 25 additional trains. This latest deal gives him 10 hydrogen fuel cell trains in California (the first in the country), with options remaining for 19 more.
“At Stadler, our goal is to make travel in North America more environmentally friendly through the vehicles and services we provide. With only a small number of rail lines in the United States being electrified, solutions like FLIRT are That’s why.” [Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train] H2 is very important here,” said Ansgar Brockmeier, Stadler's vice president of marketing and sales, in an October media release.
State investments are funded by the governor. gavin newsomeOf the $10 billion zero-emission vehicle package, $407 million is earmarked for the California Department of Transportation to purchase clean bus and rail equipment.
These trains are “more efficient, lighter, and more affordable than traditional locomotive-pulled passenger cars,” according to a Caltrans news release. And unlike traditional locomotives that rely on dirty energy sources, hydrogen-powered trains only produce water and heat as by-products, minimizing global warming gas pollution.
Stadler's FLIRT H2 fleet is scheduled to enter service in 2027. The vehicle will shuttle passengers between Merced and Sacramento on the Altamont Corridor Express and expanded Amtrak San Joaquin service, and connect to California's future high-speed rail service between Merced and Bakersfield.
Hydrogen-powered trains are new to the United States, but Spain and Quebec are beginning to lay the groundwork for such clean public transportation.
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said, “California continues to lead the way to a cleaner, more connected transportation system.” “By expanding our fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains, we are showing the people of this state that we are serious about introducing innovative and sustainable transportation options.”
“These clean energy trains are the future. California is building a climate-resilient transportation system that enables all communities to move around the state safely and sustainably.” California Department of Transportation added Tony Tavares, Director of .
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