India’s first hydrogen-powered train project progressed as Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced the successful trial of India’s first hydrogen-powered rail coach on 25 July 2025. The Driving Power Car was tested at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned, “First Hydrogen-powered coach (Driving Power Car) successfully tested at ICF, Chennai. India is developing a 1,200 HP Hydrogen train. This will place India among the leaders in hydrogen-powered train technology.”
In February 2023, Indian Railways launched an initiative to operate 35 hydrogen trains, as part of the ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ initiative, which aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmentally sustainable practices.
In 2023, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Indian Railways has approved a pilot project valued at ₹111.83 crores for the retrofitment of hydrogen fuel cells onto a running Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake, along with the necessary ground infrastructure.
The estimated cost for each hydrogen train is approximately ₹80 crores, with an additional ₹70 crores per route allocated to cover the requisite ground infrastructure.
Explore all the key aspects of this project: Here
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