Table of Contents
- Hydrogen Train Demonstration Starts, Aiming for Full Commercialization by 2028
- Main Contents of the Hydrogen Train Demonstration R&D Project
- Economic and Environmental Value of Hydrogen Trains
- Infrastructure Development and Institutional Improvement for Commercialization
- K-Hydrogen Train, Aiming to Lead the Global Market
Hydrogen Train Demonstration Starts, Aiming for Full Commercialization by 2028
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it has officially started the hydrogen electric train demonstration research and development project aimed at commercializing hydrogen trains.
The main goal of this project is to prepare the infrastructure for hydrogen trains and achieve early commercialization through pilot operations on actual routes.
The Ministry of Land is expected to focus on achieving its carbon neutrality goals and establishing an eco-friendly railway transportation system through this demonstration project.
Main Contents of the Hydrogen Train Demonstration R&D Project
Hydrogen trains generate electricity by supplying hydrogen from a hydrogen storage tank to a fuel cell. This eco-friendly train propels itself using this electricity to drive electric motors.
Furthermore, it can operate without overhead lines, allowing it to run on non-electrified tracks. This significantly improves railway accessibility.
Project Overview
Project Name: Hydrogen Electric Train Demonstration Research and Development Project
Duration: From April 2025 to December 2027
Total Cost: 32.1 billion won (200 million won government support, 12.1 billion won private investment)
Lead Organization: Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail)
Participating Institutions: Various institutions, including Korea Railroad Research Institute, Woosung Electric Co., Ltd., Cohaigen, Korea National University of Transportation, National Railroad Authority, and Korea Testing & Research Institute of Industrial Technology, are collaborating.
This project is a significant undertaking to promote the development of eco-friendly transportation through the demonstration of hydrogen electric trains.
Hydrogen Train Performance and Features
The power capacity is 1.2MW. The maximum speed is 150km/h, and the design maximum speed is set at 165km/h. It can travel over 600km on a single charge and operates on non-electrified lines. This vehicle produces no carbon emissions and has an energy efficiency that is twice as high as that of diesel.
Economic and Environmental Value of Hydrogen Trains
Superior Efficiency Compared to Diesel Trains
Hydrogen trains have improved energy efficiency by more than double compared to diesel trains.
In terms of fuel costs, it is approximately 1,107 won per km, which is much more economical compared to the 3,548 won per km of diesel trains.
Moreover, this train produces no carbon emissions, making it eco-friendly and significantly reducing particulate matter and air pollutants.
There are notable cost-saving effects compared to diesel trains. Particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) emissions will decrease by 724 tons annually, and air pollutants such as CO and NOx will also decrease by 9,320 tons.
Additionally, there are economic advantages. The cost of electrification is reduced, and smooth operation is possible on non-electrified lines.
Global Growth Prospects for the Hydrogen Train Market
The hydrogen train market is expected to record an average annual growth rate of over 25% in the future. Accordingly, by 2035, the market size is projected to reach approximately $26.4 billion (37.6 trillion won).
The change in market size is as follows: $2.67 billion in 2025 and $5.13 billion in 2030.
Among major countries, Germany first commercialized hydrogen trains in 2018, and the United States, Japan, China, and Canada are also actively pursuing commercialization. This trend is expected to accelerate the expansion of the hydrogen train market.
Infrastructure Development and Institutional Improvement for Commercialization
Hydrogen infrastructure development plan
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to establish various infrastructures such as hydrogen charging stations and vehicle inspection facilities through the demonstration project, and verify safety through these infrastructures. Hydrogen trains will be pilot operated on currently operating non-electrified lines, and the performance in terms of output, speed, and travel distance will be closely reviewed.
Additionally, to ensure the stable introduction of hydrogen trains, necessary technical standards and management and operational regulations will be established, and the legal basis for the hydrogen mobility industry ecosystem will be strengthened. These efforts aim to maximize economic and environmental benefits by replacing outdated diesel trains with hydrogen trains.
K-Hydrogen Train, Aiming to Lead the Global Market
The Director of Railway Safety Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated, "We will utilize our world-class hydrogen train technology to enhance our competitiveness in the global market." With the commercialization of hydrogen trains, the hydrogen mobility industry's ecosystem is expected to expand further, and carbon neutrality goals are likely to be achieved more quickly.
The introduction of hydrogen trains is expected to bring positive effects such as fuel cost savings, reduction of air pollution, and improved railway accessibility by replacing diesel trains. These changes are anticipated to provide new growth opportunities for the future railway industry.
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