Siemens: Low Demand for Hydrogen-Powered Trains in Europe, Batteries Are the Optimal Solution

Michael Peter, President of Siemens Mobility, recently stated in an interview with the Polish Press Agency that the European market has limited demand for hydrogen-powered trains, whereas in the United States, due to low railway electrification rates, hydrogen may hold greater market potential.

Peter emphasized that batteries are currently the best choice for European trains. Approximately 60% of railways in Poland and Germany are already electrified. Siemens' battery-electric trains, such as the Mireo Plus B, can travel up to 150 kilometers without overhead lines. Operating like hybrid vehicles, these trains can start under overhead power, recharge their batteries during the journey, and then cover non-electrified sections. The key advantage lies in energy efficiency: batteries are four times more efficient than hydrogen. Hydrogen trains require electricity to produce hydrogen, which is then converted back to electricity via fuel cells—a process that results in approximately 75% energy loss, whereas batteries experience no such loss.

He stressed that hydrogen propulsion in Europe is only suitable for specific scenarios with completely non-electrified lines. While it is commendable that Europe is testing diverse technologies, battery technology remains more efficient in practice.

From a cost perspective, the total lifecycle cost of trains is divided equally among acquisition, energy consumption, and maintenance. Hydrogen propulsion’s energy costs are four times higher than those of batteries, which would double overall operating expenses and ultimately lead to significantly higher ticket prices.

In contrast, with only 3% of its railways electrified, the United States may find hydrogen propulsion more cost-effective for freight lines or remote areas. Siemens’ current product portfolio includes the hydrogen-powered Mireo Plus H and two battery-electric models. The company’s strategic focus is to develop high-efficiency trains based on a lightweight aluminum platform, integrating both battery and hydrogen modules, allowing operators to choose the propulsion system according to their needs.