On Oct. 12, Caltrans signed an $80 million contract with Stadler Rail, Inc. of Bussnang, Switzerland, to deliver zero-emission hydrogen passenger trains.
The contract includes a base order of $80 million for the first four trainsets between Merced and Sacramento with options for up to 25 additional trainsets that can be used throughout California.
Trains are to be delivered in early 2027.
Officials sign $80 million contract for first zero-emission, hydrogen intercity passenger trains in North America.
While the base order of trains is expected to operate between Merced and Sacramento and Merced and Bakersfield, Caltrans said the trains also will be demonstrated on corridors throughout the state in coordination with regional rail partners.
The purchase is funded through Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $10 billion, multiyear zero-emission vehicle package, which included $407 million for the California State Transportation Agency to demonstrate and purchase or lease state-of-the-art clean bus and rail equipment and infrastructure.
Martin Ritter, CEO Stadler US, based in Salt Lake City, said, “It is great to be part of California’s move toward eco-friendly travel with another zero-emission project in the state.”
The vehicles will be based on Stadler’s Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train (FLIRT) developed for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, which was unveiled this month at an expo in Orlando.
This hydrogen powered passenger train — no locomotive needed — is to be launched as part of Metrolink service from Redlands to San Bernardino in late 2024.
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin described California’s order as “state-of-the-art hydrogen train sets.”
Caltrans Director Tony Tavares added, “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.”
Newsom is betting big on zero-emission transportation, investing more than $1 billion in the past few months. In July, he announced $450 million for zero-emission infrastructure, locomotives, vessels and vehicles. In April, he announced $690 million to buy 277 zero-emission vehicles statewide and develop high-priority mobility hubs and rail projects.
Alstom, based in Germany, pioneered the Coradia iLint™ which it says it the world’s first passenger train powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. In operation, this train emits no carbon dioxide and exhausts only water, the company says.
The train is operating in Germany and Austria and ran on a demonstration basis carrying 10,000 passengers from June to September from Quebec City to Baie-Saint-Paul.
Since 2015, Alstom Power & Grid have been owned by GE, which is headquartered in Boston.
Caltrans spokesman Ed Barrera pointed out this is California’s first purchase — it is not a test, as in Canada.