Italy Approves First Hydrogen Trains for Lombardy Regional Rail Network Operations

Italy, Lombardy: Rail safety approval marks a major milestone for hydrogen-powered regional trains replacing diesel services on Brescia-Iseo-Edolo line

Italy has moved closer to introducing hydrogen-powered passenger trains after the country’s National Agency for the Safety of Railways and Road and Motorway Infrastructure (ANSFISA) granted commissioning authorisation for hydrogen trains operating on the Brescia-Iseo-Edolo railway line in the northern region of Lombardy.

The approval represents a major milestone for Italy’s railway sector, allowing the country’s first hydrogen-powered train project to move into its next development phase. It also places Italy among a growing number of European nations investing in hydrogen technology as an alternative to conventional diesel-powered regional rail services.

The initiative will see 14 hydrogen-powered trains manufactured by Alstom gradually replace the existing diesel fleet operating on the non-electrified Brescia-Iseo-Edolo railway. The transition is expected to significantly reduce emissions while supporting Italy’s broader commitment to sustainable transportation and cleaner public infrastructure.

Known as the H2iseO project, the programme is promoted by FNM, FERROVIENORD and Trenord, with financial and institutional backing from the Lombardy Region. Rather than focusing solely on rolling stock, the initiative also includes the development of a complete hydrogen ecosystem supporting railway operations.

The wider project covers hydrogen production facilities, dedicated fuel distribution systems, station upgrades, depot improvements and specialised maintenance infrastructure required to support the operation of hydrogen-powered trains over the coming years.

Authorities describe the programme as one of Europe’s largest regional hydrogen rail deployments and a significant demonstration of how alternative energy sources can be integrated into public transport systems without requiring full railway electrification.

The commissioning authorisation follows an extensive approval process that began in 2022. During the past four years, railway operators, manufacturers, regulators and certification organisations have worked together to ensure that the introduction of hydrogen technology complies with Italy’s strict rail safety regulations.

The process involved close cooperation between FNM, FERROVIENORD, Trenord, Alstom, ANSFISA, conformity assessment organisations, certification bodies, risk assessment agencies, research institutions and the maintenance entity responsible for the new fleet.

Given that hydrogen-powered trains remain relatively new across Europe, regulators carried out detailed assessments covering operational safety, technical compatibility, maintenance procedures and emergency response protocols before granting approval.

The authorisation allows the project to advance into comprehensive testing, although passenger operations will only begin after every safety requirement has been successfully completed.

Testing activities are already underway at the Rovato railway depot, where the first seven hydrogen trains delivered under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) funding are undergoing static acceptance tests.

These inspections examine each train while stationary, enabling engineers to verify the performance of onboard systems, hydrogen storage equipment, safety mechanisms, electrical components and operational software before trains move onto live railway testing.

Project officials say these static evaluations will continue throughout the coming months as engineers carefully validate every technical aspect of the trains before progressing to the next stage.

An eighth train is scheduled to enter the same acceptance programme during the second half of 2026, gradually expanding the fleet undergoing certification and operational readiness checks.

Following completion of static inspections, each hydrogen train will undergo dynamic acceptance testing. These trials will take place both at Rovato and along the Brescia-Edolo railway, allowing engineers to assess vehicle performance under real operating conditions.

Dynamic testing will evaluate acceleration, braking performance, signalling integration, hydrogen fuel consumption, operational reliability and overall system efficiency while trains travel along the route they are expected to serve commercially.

After these tests, the fleet will enter another important stage involving trial operations conducted under simulated commercial service conditions. During this period, operators will monitor how the trains perform across different operational scenarios before passengers are allowed onboard.

The experimental operating period remains a mandatory requirement under ANSFISA’s commissioning authorisation framework and serves as the final validation stage before commercial approval can be granted.

Only after successfully completing every testing phase will the hydrogen trains begin carrying passengers on scheduled services between Brescia, Iseo and Edolo.

The Brescia-Iseo-Edolo railway provides an ideal location for hydrogen deployment because it is a non-electrified regional line where diesel trains have traditionally been the only practical option. Hydrogen technology offers an opportunity to eliminate diesel emissions without the substantial cost of installing overhead electrification infrastructure.

Hydrogen-powered trains generate electricity through fuel cells that combine hydrogen with oxygen, producing only water vapour as a direct emission during operation. This technology enables quieter, cleaner journeys while maintaining operating ranges suitable for regional railway services.

Across Europe, governments and railway companies are increasingly exploring hydrogen as part of wider decarbonisation strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport.

Italy’s investment in the H2iseO project demonstrates how hydrogen infrastructure, rolling stock and maintenance facilities can be developed simultaneously, creating an integrated system capable of supporting long-term zero-emission railway operations.

Industry observers believe the lessons learned from the Brescia-Iseo-Edolo project could influence future hydrogen railway developments across Italy and other European countries considering similar investments.

For Alstom, the project represents another significant deployment of its hydrogen train technology, reinforcing the company’s growing presence in sustainable rail transport solutions worldwide.

Regional authorities have also highlighted the broader economic benefits of the programme, including infrastructure investment, technological innovation and the development of expertise in hydrogen-based transport systems.

Although commercial passenger services are still some time away, the latest authorisation marks one of the most significant milestones achieved since planning for the project began.

As testing progresses over the coming months, Italy’s pioneering hydrogen railway will continue moving closer to becoming the country’s first operational zero-emission regional rail service powered entirely by hydrogen technology.

 

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members