Alstom’s Coradia iLint, the world’s first hydrogen-powered train, has won the 2023 Environmental Sustainability CUTA Award

Michael Keroullé, President Alstom Americas, said, “This summer, we demonstrated that hydrogen trains can be an attractive, safe and viable alternative to diesel on non-electrified lines and that Alstom can do it right here in North America. We proudly accept the 2023 CUTA Environmental Sustainability Award, and thank the association for helping elevate transit innovation and excellence in Canada.”

Using Alstom’s green hydrogen-powered train on this route helped save approximately 8,400 liters of diesel and averted 22 tons of CO2 direct emissions, compared to the diesel trains that normally service this route. During the demonstration project, Alstom and its partners,  have laid the foundation of a comprehensive, safe and efficient hydrogen ecosystem for the heavy transportation sector in North America, from production to refueling to operation. This is  the first project from the Americas Innovation Center bringing  thought leadership, as well as technical, operational and regulatory expertise on green propulsion solutions.

In addition, Alstom and its partners welcomed 34 commercial, governmental and regulatory delegations from all over North America to experience this hydrogen-propulsion technology, setting the stage for wider implementation of green transit across North America.

Alstom also received a second CUTA Award, for the Rainbow Train, a virtual pride parade, the first ever awarded in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion category.

About the Coradia iLint

The Coradia iLint is the world’s first passenger train powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which produces electrical power for traction. In operation, this train emits no CO2 and exhausts only water and is special for its combination of different innovative elements. Specifically designed to non- or partially electrified lines up to 1,000 km, it enables clean, sustainable train operation while ensuring the highest levels of performance. In Quebec, the demonstration project was made possible thanks to a partnership between Alstom, which supplied and maintained the trains, Réseau Charlevoix / Train de Charlevoix who made their teams and tracks available, Harnois Énergies, which provided green hydrogen, HTEC, which implemented the mobile hydrogen charging solution and Accelera by Cummins, which supplied and maintained the fuel cell during the pilot. The project was also authorised and supported by the Government of Quebec. Alstom is partnering with the Hydrogen Research Institute of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières to analyse the results of the demonstration project and will issue a final report for public authorities in early 2024.

About CUTA

CUTA is the collective voice of the transit industry in Canada. Its membership includes Canadian transit systems, private transportation operators, manufacturers, suppliers, as well as transit industry thought leaders and academics from across the country. CUTA’s Awards Committee select transit people and projects having the greatest impact within the communities they serve.

Alstom™, Coradia™ and Coradia iLint™ are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.