Found: in delivering sustainable and smart mobility systems, from high-speed trains, regional and commuter trains

Found: inevitably an extensive network of static charging points will be required to support the rollout of battery trains

Found: in delivering sustainable and smart mobility systems, from high-speed trains, regional and commuter trains

Found: In this Chapter we examine in more detail the scope for hydrogen and battery powered trains.

Found: in delivering sustainable and smart mobility systems, from high speed trains, regional and commuter trains

Found: Unlike diesel trains, hydrogen-powered trains do not emit harmful gases, instead using hydrogen and oxygen

Found: Hydrogen can be used as a zero-emission fuel for cars, trucks, buses and trains.

Found: However, for other larger vehicles (such as buses, HGVs and trains) hydrogen is expected to rapidly begin

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to support the production of hydrogen-powered trains.

Answered by Wendy Morton

In our Transport Decarbonisation Plan, we have committed to delivering a net zero rail network by 2050. To help deliver the government’s net zero commitment, we will electrify most of the network and deploy battery and hydrogen trains on some lines, where it makes economic and operational sense.

The government is supporting the development of battery and hydrogen technology in rail through innovation funding and research. This includes work on safety and wider issues that will have to be considered to allow battery and hydrogen trains smooth entry onto the network. Since the start of 2019, the Department has provided just over £4m of funding through Innovate UK-run First of a Kind competitions for new traction technologies that will help decarbonise the railway. This includes £750,000 to facilitate trials of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered train, HydroFLEX, which was showcased at COP 26.

We are also engaging with industry to determine what technological solutions are open to us, as well as how technologies such as hydrogen can best be utilised on our network.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost of electrifying all railway lines in (a) the North East and (b) England.

Answered by Wendy Morton

As set out in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, the UK Government is committed to achieving a net zero railway by 2050. Achieving that will require a mix of battery trains, hydrogen trains and track electrification, not just wholesale electrification of the currently unelectrified network.

Electrification costs across the country can vary significantly depending on factors that include complexity and topography. We will continue to ensure that new schemes deliver value for money for taxpayers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing hydrogen-powered trains.

Answered by Wendy Morton

In our Transport Decarbonisation Plan, we have committed to delivering a net zero rail network by 2050, with sustained carbon reductions in rail along the way. To help deliver the government’s net zero commitment, we will electrify most of the network and deploy battery and hydrogen trains on some lines, where it makes economic and operational sense.

The government is supporting the development of battery and hydrogen technology in rail through innovation funding and research. The outcome of this research will inform any assessment of the relevant merits of hydrogen, battery and electrification on the railway. Since the start of 2019, the Department has provided just over £4m of funding through Innovate UK-run First of a Kind competitions for new traction technologies that will help decarbonise the railway. This includes £750,000 to facilitate trials of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered train, HydroFLEX, which was showcased at COP 26.

In addition, Great Western Railway has signed a deal that will see the UK’s first battery-only train enter scheduled passenger service. The trial is supported by £2.15m funding from the Department for Transport's Rail Network Enhancement pipeline (RNEP).

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to require rail operators to acquire hydrogen-powered trains to replace diesel trains on routes where electrification is not economic, in order to meet their objectives of (1) removing diesel trains by 2040, and (2) achieving net zero by 2050.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

As existing diesel trains require replacement we will work closely with operators on the most appropriate traction technology. The government supports the deployment of hydrogen and battery trains to decarbonise the network, where they make operational and economic sense. The government supports this through innovation funding and research. This includes work on safety and wider issues that will have to be considered to allow battery and hydrogen trains smooth entry onto the network. That is why since the start of 2019, the Department has provided just over £4m of funding through Innovate UK-run First of a Kind competitions for new traction technologies.

Found: first-ever hydrogen-powered train to run on the UK mainline on 29 September 2020. 62 Unlike diesel trains

Found: also vary depending on public transport mode and fuel types (e.g. diesel-powered or electric buses or trains