FNM, the leading integrated group in sustainable mobility in Lombardy, presented today, jointly with the manufacturer Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, the hydrogen-powered Coradia Stream train that marks the beginning of a new era in passenger rail transport in Italy. The event was held as part of EXPO Ferroviaria 2023. The train will enter commercial service in Valcamonica between the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, along the non-electrified Brescia-Iseo-Edolo line of FERROVIENORD on which the rail service is operated by Trenord, as part of the H2iseO project, which aims to create Italy’s first Hydrogen Valley in the area of Brescia. The hydrogen-powered Coradia Stream meets the European target of reducing CO2 emissions by 100 percent by 2050 and is the first zero direct CO2 emission train for Italy equipped with hydrogen fuel cells, with a total capacity of 260 seats and a range of more than 600 km.
The presentation ceremony was attended by Sen. Matteo Salvini, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Sen. Alessandro Morelli, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Lombardy Region, present with Councillors Franco Lucente (Transport and Sustainable Mobility), Claudia Maria Terzi (Infrastructure and Public Works). Also speaking were FNM President Andrea Gibelli, FERROVIENORD President Fulvio Caradonna, Trenord President Federica Santini, Trenord CEO and FNM General Manager Marco Piuri, Alstom President of Europe Region Gian Luca Erbacci, and Alstom Italy General Manager and President and CEO of Alstom Ferroviaria, Michele Viale.
Today’s event follows the agreement signed by FNM and Alstom in November 2020 to supply Trenord with six hydrogen fuel cell trains, with an option for eight more. The introduction of the hydrogen train is part of the H2iseO Hydrogen Valley project.
Promoted by FNM, Ferrovienord and Trenord, H2iseO aims to develop an economic and industrial hydrogen supply chain in Valcamonica, starting from the mobility sector, initiate the energy conversion of the territory, and contribute to the decarbonisation of a significant part of local public transport. It is a highly innovative project, which envisages, among other things, the construction of 3 plants for the production, storage and distribution of renewable hydrogen without CO2 emissions (in Brescia, Iseo and Edolo), as well as the commissioning of 40 hydrogen buses to replace the entire fleet used today by FNM Autoservizi.
The new hydrogen-powered trains are based on the model of Alstom’s single-deck Coradia Stream regional train, aimed at the European market and already produced by Alstom in Italy. The hydrogen-powered Coradia Stream will maintain the high standards of comfort already appreciated by passengers in its electric version and will provide the same operating performance as diesel trains, including range. The hydrogen-powered Coradia Stream can operate on non-electrified lines as a replacement for trains using fossil fuels, and offers comfort and quietness characteristics comparable to other electric Coradia models, with a range of more than 600 km.
The train was created and produced at Alstom’s plants in Italy, involving the Savigliano site for development, certification, production and testing, the Vado Ligure site for the outfitting of the “power car” in which the technologically innovative hydrogen-related part is installed, the Sesto San Giovanni site for components and the Bologna site for the development of the signalling system.