Spanish narrow-gauge operator Feve has developed a hydrogen-powered tram prototype based on an old 1960s train, which is expected to enter into commercial service by 2012.
Feve, in collaboration with its subsidiary Fenit Rail and the Cidaut Foundation, has invested €1m to restore one of its old trains, a 3400 class electric unit that will run on hydrogen gas.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The train has been overhauled by Fenit Rail and equipped with technologies developed by Cidaut, which will power the engines via a set of hydrogen batteries, without the need for overhead cables or internal combustion engines.
The project took two years to complete and is expected to start transporting passengers on certain sections of the Feve network in 2012 .
As part of the project, Feve is also currently developing the prototype of a solar-powered train in collaboration with the University of León of Spain, according to spanishrailwaynews.com.
