Berlin _ Agencies
Germany, on Monday, inaugurated the world´s first hydrogen-powered train, the first of its kind for diesel-powered trains, which significantly pollutes the environment.
The new train, which is being built by a French company, began to move on its route between a number of cities in northern Germany for a distance of 100 kilometers.
Although the ph train uses more expensive technology, it is a better friend of the environment, compared to other diesel-powered trains.
The CEO of Alstom, Henri Boubart-Lafarge, said at the unveiling ceremony at the premium station, where trains will be resupplied with hydrogen: "This is the first hydrogen-powered train in the world, and enters the commercial service."
Alstom indicated that it plans to operate another 14 zero-emission trains to Lower Saxony by 2021, and other German cities have shown interest in the project.
Hydrogen trains are equipped with fuel cells that produce electricity through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, a process that results in only water vapor.
Alstom is betting on this technology as a more environmentally friendly alternative and does not make noise while it is on the railway lines.
Alstom said other countries are looking to operate hydrogen trains, including Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Italy and Canada.
In France, the government said it was already planning to operate the first hydrogen-based train by 2022.
