EqualOcean has learned that on October 14, during the 2024 Global Logistics Forum held in Riyadh, Bashar Al Malik, CEO of the Saudi Railway Company (SAR), announced that Saudi Arabia has successfully conducted trial runs of the first hydrogen-powered train in the Middle East, marking a significant achievement in the country’s transport sector.
During the initial testing of Coradia iLint, the hydrogen-powered train operated along SAR's eastern lines, covering distances between 10 to 20 kilometers. This project represents an important step forward in the development of eco-friendly transportation in Saudi Arabia. As the world's first passenger train powered by hydrogen fuel cells, Coradia iLint has already gained recognition in Europe. In 2022, 14 Coradia iLint trains began operating on passenger routes in Lower Saxony, Germany, demonstrating their efficiency. Saudi Arabia hopes that hydrogen-powered trains will play a key role in the development of modern transportation infrastructure, as they are essential for achieving the country’s sustainable development goals.
The successful testing of Coradia iLint reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to fulfilling the objectives of the "Vision 2030" program. Collaborations with international companies such as Alstom are helping to introduce advanced technologies into the country, driving Saudi Arabia to become a leader in sustainable transportation.
Picture Source：railway-technology.com