Hydrogen Trains Show Lower Deployment Utilization
In the second quarter of 2026, Germany’s three hydrogen train fleets recorded an average deployment utilization rate of only 70.8%, compared to 85.9% for seven battery-electric train fleets. This gap highlights the reliability challenges hydrogen trains face in real-world operations. Deployment utilization measures the proportion of trains actively in passenger service, offering a clearer picture of technical stability. Other metrics, such as technical availability or passenger service reliability, may be distorted by temporary substitutions with diesel trains or buses.
The Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) deployed 27 hydrogen trains on the Taunus network, but by 2026, only 18 were in operation. The remaining trains were sidelined due to maintenance or parts shortages, with 16 diesel trains filling service gaps. In Lower Saxony, 14 Alstom Coradia iLint hydrogen trains were intended to form the world’s first fully hydrogen-powered rail network, but by August 2025, only four were operational. The rest were grounded due to unavailable replacement fuel-cell modules. While some trains were gradually restored, the issues emerged years after deployment and stemmed from core supply chain constraints, not short-term teething problems.
Battery Trains Demonstrate Stable Performance
Battery-electric trains have shown more consistent performance in Germany. Schleswig-Holstein’s fleet of 55 battery trains overcame initial software and vehicle fitness issues to achieve full deployment. East Brandenburg’s 31 battery trains reached a 91.9% deployment utilization rate, while Ortenau’s 27 battery trains recorded 88.9%. Germany now operates approximately 124 battery trains, with at least 140 more on order or under contract, signaling strong industry confidence in the technology.