The global railway industry converged on the German capital on Monday as InnoTrans 2024 opened its doors at Messe Berlin, inaugurating the world's largest transport technology fair with a resolute focus on zero-emission propulsion, hydrogen fuel cells, and artificial intelligence-driven network automation.
Spanning all 38 exhibition halls and more than 3,500 meters of outdoor railway tracks, this year's edition brings together 2,940 exhibitors representing 59 nations, drawing transport ministers, infrastructure executives, and rolling stock engineers from across the globe.
The Global Showcase for Zero-Emission Rail Mobility
Leading European rail manufacturers Siemens Mobility and Alstom took center stage with live outdoor demonstrations of production-ready zero-emission passenger trains engineered to replace aging diesel locomotives on regional branch lines that lack overhead electric wires.
Siemens Mobility showcased its Mireo Plus H two-car hydrogen regional train alongside the battery-electric Mireo Plus B. The Mireo Plus H utilizes a cutting-edge fuel cell system developed with Ballard Power Systems, achieving an operational range of up to 1,000 kilometers with refueling times under 15 minutes.
“Zero-emission rail is no longer a future concept—it is operating in passenger service today. Replacing diesel fleets with hydrogen and battery trains is essential to achieving European climate neutrality.”
Commercial Rollouts and the Race to Replace Diesel Locomotives
French rival Alstom presented the latest iteration of its pioneering Coradia iLint passenger train, which has accumulated more than two million kilometers of commercial service across Germany and Canada, as well as new hydrogen-powered shunting locomotives.
With approximately 40 percent of Europe's railway network and more than 90 percent of North American trackage still non-electrified, rail authorities at the summit announced pilot deployment agreements that will accelerate clean hydrogen rolling stock adoption over the next three years.
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