Alstom was set to be backed with state-aid funding allocated under the EU’s Hy2Tech Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) scheme.

However, France’s decision to halt its contribution effectively blocks Alstom’s access to its share of EU support, as IPCEIs require matching national funding.

While Alstom has suspended work at its hydrogen subsidiary, it is redeploying staff and continuing to fulfil existing hydrogen train orders in France, Italy and Germany.

Alstom launched the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train, the Coradia iLint, in Germany in 2022.

Although the model has since been trialled across Europe, its flagship deployment in Lower Saxony hit difficulties.

Last year, EVB, which introduced 14 iLints to replace 15 diesel units, was forced to revert to five diesel railcars and cancel services after Linde reported hydrogen delivery problems.

In August 2025, EVB was forced to cut back hydrogen services in Lower Saxony after replacement fuel-cell modules failed to arrive.

Only four of the operator’s 14 Coradia iLint units remained in operation at the time, an EVB spokesperson told H2 View.

H2 View has contacted Alstom for more information on the pulled funding.