Under the MoU, the two companies will facilitate the use of Alstom’s Coradia iLint trains on Czech railways, with Air Products supplying necessary refuelling infrastructure.

Alstom presented the hydrogen fuel cell-powered train in the Czech Republic and Slovakia during its Railshow in May 2022, whilst Air Products also participated by refilling the Coradia iLint with hydrogen from a mobile refuelling station.

It is hoped the new partnership will support the Europe’s fit for 55 targets of cutting net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% by 2030.

Dan Kurucz, Managing Director of Alstom in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, said, “By signing this memorandum, we formally confirm our long-term cooperation with Air Products. Both parties will do everything in their power to accelerate the introduction of hydrogen in rail in the Czech Republic.”

Since its launch in 2018 the iLint has been tested in Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden and Poland and also purchased in France and Italy, and most recently covered 1,175km (730 miles) across Germany without refuelling.

Read more: Hydrogen-powered train makes 1,175km run across Germany without refuelling

Vlastimil Pavlíček, Business Development Director New Technologies, CE&CIS subregion Air Products, stated, “Together with Alstom, we believe we can build a working network of hydrogen trains that will demonstrate that hydrogen is the ideal propulsion for non-electrified lines. And that the operation of hydrogen trains is absolutely environmentally friendly and safe and, in the medium-term, economically viable.”

Kurucz commented, “We are in contact with the regions in this matter and we are trying to take action to support the creation of the necessary legislation, which is still missing in the Czech Republic.”