On Thursday, Caltrans announced Stadler Rail, Inc. will deliver to it the first zero-emission, hydrogen intercity passenger train in North America.
The $80 million contract will see Stadler deliver four trainsets to operate primarily between Merced and Sacramento on the expanded San Joaquin and Altamont Corridor Express Valley Rail services, with the option for up to 25 additional trainsets, Caltrans said. The trains will be used throughout the state. The vehicles will be based on Stadler’s successful Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train (FLIRT) concept and will extend work done with the San Bernardina County Transportation Authority to develop self-powered multiple unit trains using zero-emission hydrogen fuel.
“California is once again leading the country in delivering innovative clean transportation options that benefit people and the planet,” Toks Omishakin, California Transportation Secretary, said. “These state-of-the-art hydrogen train sets will demonstrate the capability of an emerging technology and will complement our future electrified high-speed rail line for an expanded clean rail network.”
Funding for the contract comes from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $10 billion, multiyear zero-emission vehicle package, which included $407 million for the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) to demonstrate and either purchase or lease clean bus and rail equipment and infrastructure.
“California is using our transportation dollars to fund innovation solutions like these zero-emission, hydrogen passenger trains to significantly reduce planet-warming pollution and combat and adapt to climate change ― while providing travelers an alternative to driving,” Tony Tavares, Caltrans Director said.