India launches first domestically built hydrogen-powered train

India has launched its first domestically built hydrogen-powered train, the "NaMo Green Rail," as part of a push for clean energy. Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, the 10-coach train operates in Haryana and is powered by a 1,200-kW fuel cell system, emitting only water vapor. The $12M pilot project supports India's goal of net-zero railway emissions by 2030, placing it among nations like Germany and Japan using this technology.

Train Launch and Specifications

• ▪It is powered by a 1,200-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, described by officials as the world's most powerful for a train
• ▪The train, named "NaMo Green Rail," was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the northern state of Haryana
• ▪India launched its first indigenously built hydrogen-powered train on July 17, 2026
• ▪The 10-coach train can carry approximately 2,600 passengers and has a maximum speed of 75 kph (47 mph)
• ▪The train operates on an 89-kilometer (55-mile) route between the cities of Jind and Sonipat
• ▪While the railway ministry said the train was "developed entirely in India," senior officials stated that some key components like fuel cells were imported

Hydrogen Technology and Infrastructure

• ▪Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapor and steam as emissions
• ▪A supporting hydrogen storage and refueling facility with a 3,000-kilogram capacity was also inaugurated in Jind

National Goals and Global Context

• ▪With the launch, India joins countries including Germany, Japan, China, and the United States that are testing or operating hydrogen-powered trains
• ▪The pilot project cost around $12 million, which a senior railway official acknowledged was significantly more expensive than a comparable conventional service
• ▪The launch is part of India's goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in its railways by 2030 and for the country by 2070