Stadler Picks OPmobility To Power Its First H2 Trains In Europe

OPmobiliy awarded major contract with Stadler.

One of the world’s largest rail vehicle manufacturers, Stadler, has awarded a major contract to OPmobility, which will equip Stadler’s H2 trains in Italy with high-pressure hydrogen storage systems and fuel cell systems.

Deliveries for the trains is planned for late 2025.

OPmobility is a France-based leader in mobility, including innovative technologies for sustainable mobility. For Stadler’s H2 trains in Italy – also Stadler’s first hydrogen-powered regional trains in Europe – OPmobility will develop and manufacture both hydrogen storage and hydrogen fuel cell systems.

Specifically, each train will receive high-pressure 350-bar hydrogen storage systems. There will be eight of these storage systems per train, which will deliver about 185 kg of on-board hydrogen. The trains will also be supplied with 150-kW fuel cell systems, with each train receiving four of these fuel cell systems.

The systems will incorporate NM12 Twin fuel cell stacks, stacks developed by the EKPO1 joint venture. These compact systems feature an optimized design and can take hydrogen and oxygen from the air, instantly producing electricity that will be used to power the electric motors. According to OPmobility, these innovative systems provide high durability and can withstand intensive use.

Fifteen H2 trains will be equipped with Opmobility’s systems.

After this initial wave, the company expects to speed up deliveries in the coming years. If all goes according to plan, this could be highly beneficial to Europe’s clean transportation strategy as trains powered by hydrogen are an ideal solution for decarbonizing rail. Hydrogen trains can operate on all types of routes, both electrified and nonelectrified. What’s more, these trains do not require a major infrastructure investment.

Stadler Train – Image Source: ©Stadler

The new contract between OPmobility and Stadler “reinforces OPmobility’s position as world leader in hydrogen mobility,” said OPmobility CEO Laurent Favre. The CEO added that the contract confirms the company’s “conviction that hydrogen is an ideal solution for decarbonizing heavy mobility.”

Hydrogen is a key player in the future of clean mobility.

noopener”>OPmobility has a lot of confidence in hydrogen fuel. Not just in H2 trains, but mobility as a whole, believing hydrogen will play a “major role” in the future of clean mobility.

The company is dedicated to leading the way in this technology and, since 2015, has invested €200 million ($217 million) to boost its expertise across the entire hydrogen value chain.