An EVB spokesperson confirmed to H2 View that only four of the operator’s 14 Alstom Coradia iLint units are still in operation.

The hydrogen-powered trains usually operate on the RB33 line between Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervörde and Buxtehude. However, the delay in sourcing fuel cell technology has meant EVB must rely on its diesel backup fleet.

The state of Lower Saxony provides up to seven diesel units for EVB’s use, but the operator said not all are available at once.

Furthermore, even at full capacity they cannot replace the out-of-service hydrogen multiple units (HEMUs), according to the spokesperson.

“The situation with our HEMUs is not exactly a mood booster, but we are doing what we can,” the EVB representative told H2 View.

“EVB and LNVG (purchases trains and oversees competition for Lower Saxony rail route) have done everything in their power and have repeatedly been promised by the train manufacturer [Alstom] that the situation would be remedied; however, the solution has not arrived yet.”

Alstom has been contacted for comment on when the replacement fuel cell modules will be delivered.

The disruption comes less than a year after EVB was forced to revert to diesel units following a hydrogen supply breakdown, also affecting the Coradia iLint fleet.

That incident led to some services being cancelled and drew criticism from EVB management over supplier communication.

It was later revealed that the supply crisis was triggered by a tube trailer fire at supplier Linde’s Leuna facility. The incident left dozens of hydrogen refuelling stations offline for weeks and highlighted the fragility of the supply chain supporting hydrogen mobility.