New hydrogen fuel cell tram unveiled by HyundaiRotem

The tram has been in development since 2021, as part of a project backed by the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; as well as the Korea Institute for the Advancement of Technology, Korea Railroad Research Institute, Korea Automobile Research Centre and Ulsan Tecno Park. 

 

The tram moves by using electric energy generated by hydrogen fuel cells which are loaded inside the trams. The fuel cells produces the electricity used to move the trams through electrochemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen, essentially generating electric energy using stored hydrogen. 

 

According to Hyundai, the tram produces zero carbon emissions and employs a clean air system which captures ultra-fine dust and debris in a special filter. 

 

On a single charge, the vehicle can travel upto 150km.  

 

The fuel cell itself uses a hybrid system which combines a hydrogen fuel cell with a battery. Any surplus energy generated, is stored. This is the comapny's first commercial model of a hydrogen cell driven tram and its development is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.  

 

The company are also in the early stages of planning a hydrogen powered train as part of their plans for developing a carbon-friendly rail system. This is expected to be completed in 2027.