Stadler Expands Hydrogen Train Fleet for Italian Railway FdC

Stadler Expands Hydrogen Train Fleet for Italian Railway FdC

(IN BRIEF) Italian railway operator Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC) has ordered three additional hydrogen-powered narrow-gauge trains from Stadler as part of a framework agreement. These trains will run on regional and local routes in Italy’s Calabria region and are expected to enter service by 2026. This agreement follows a 2023 deal for up to 15 hydrogen trains. Stadler is the first train manufacturer globally to produce narrow-gauge hydrogen trains. The company will deliver a total of 15 hydrogen-powered trains to FdC, furthering its commitment to decarbonizing rail transport in Italy and promoting sustainable rail travel.

(PRESS RELEASE) BUSSNANG, 18-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Stadler, a Swiss train maker with over 75 years of experience, announces that it has inked an agreement with Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC), the Italian railway operator, for the procurement of three additional narrow-gauge hydrogen-powered trains. This order follows a 2023 framework agreement for up to 15 hydrogen trains intended for regional and local transport within the Calabria region. Stadler, a Swiss train manufacturer, is pioneering the production of narrow-gauge hydrogen trains globally and is also providing six such trains for ARST and five for passenger transport in California. These new hydrogen-powered vehicles, expected to be operational by 2026, complement the FdC’s existing fleet under the 2023 agreement, emphasizing Stadler’s role in decarbonizing rail transport in Italy. Stadler’s innovative hydrogen trains are poised to revolutionize sustainable rail travel worldwide.

Ernesto Ferraro, CEO of FdC, commented, “The additional trains ordered from Stadler, with whom we have had a fruitful cooperation for years, are a further investment towards the company’s ongoing modernisation. The purchase of a further three hydrogen-powered trains, in addition to the six already commissioned, and the other investments underway, including those for modernising and speeding up the railway infrastructure, renewing the rolling stock on the road, building the hydrogen production plant, and innovating the company’s technology and infrastructure, represent the concrete implementation of the company’s strategies launched with the ambition to become a modern and sustainable transport company within the next three years. These goals are now possible thanks to the synergy created with the Region of Calabria, the company’s sole shareholder, and with the relevant Ministries, which have made available the necessary resources to support the industrial plan that the company is pursuing, and to whom our thanks go.”

Aristide Vercillo Martino, FdC’s Investment Manager – PNRR – IT, added, “The project launched in recent years as part of the ecological transition, with a project to use hydrogen as a new fuel for its means of transport, and a total investment of more than 400 million euro, confirms the company’s desire to become a leader in regional transport and to provide more services to users, with innovative processes and in line with the objectives that a modern company must set itself. The synergy created over the years with Stadler will make it possible to accelerate the processes initiated to improve rail services in the area.”

Ansgar Brockmeyer, Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales at Stadler, expressed pride in FdC’s repeated trust in Stadler stating “We are very proud that FdC has once again commissioned Stadler to supply additional trains. In partnership with FdC, we are driving forward the decarbonisation of rail transport in Italy. The new narrow-gauge hydrogen trains are a world first and pave the way to sustainable rail transport on narrow-gauge lines worldwide. We thank FdC for the trust and look forward to deepening our partnership with them.”

Maurizio Oberti, Marketing & Sales Director for Italy, highlighted Stadler’s growing presence in Italy, emphasizing the diverse portfolio of rail solutions the company offers to Italian regions and operators, commented: “This additional order consolidates Stadler’s positioning in Italy. The entire portfolio of Stadler products and vehicles has already been acquired by several Italian regions and operators, from trams and metros to long-distance vehicles and locomotives. This is a remarkable achievement for Stadler.”

Innovative Hydrogen Trains: These narrow-gauge hydrogen-powered trains consist of two passenger cars and a power pack housing fuel cells, hydrogen tanks, and technical equipment. With 89 seats per vehicle and accessibility features, they cater to various passenger needs and comply with sustainability standards.

Decarbonizing Rail Travel: Stadler’s hydrogen-powered trains, along with battery-powered counterparts, aim to provide eco-friendly rail travel on routes without overhead lines. The FdC contract underscores Stadler’s commitment to sustainable railway solutions, and these trains are expected to commence service in 2026, furthering the shift towards cleaner rail transportation.

About Stadler
Stadler has been building trains for 80 years. The provider of mobility solutions in rail vehicle construction, service and signalling technology has its headquarters in Bussnang in eastern Switzerland. More than 13,500 employees work at several production and engineering sites and over 80 service locations. The company is aware of its social responsibility for sustainable mobility and therefore stands for innovative, sustainable and durable quality products. The product range in the mainline and urban transport sector includes high-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and suburban trains, underground trains, tram-trains and trams. Stadler also manufactures mainline locomotives, shunting locomotives and passenger coaches. Stadler is the world’s leading manufacturer of rack-and-pinion railway vehicles.

Follow Stadler on LinkedIn, Xing and Facebook.

Media contact:

Stadler Rail Group
Gerda Königstorfer
Head of Group Communications & PR
Phone: +41 71 626 19 19
E-mail: medien@stadlerrail.com
www.stadlerrail.com

SOURCE: Stadler