[Public Voices] Spotlight on Hydrogen Trains: The Future Transportation Paradigm

Park Chaeok, President of Korea Railroad Research Institute. Photo by Korea Railroad Corporation

The book "Trend Korea 2025," which forecasts consumer trends in Korea, has selected "Climate Sensitivity" as one of this year's top ten keywords. This term refers to a consumer attitude that actively responds to and empathizes with climate change, reflecting the growing global interest in environmental protection issues such as global warming and carbon neutrality.

The railway sector is no exception. There is a growing call for railways to transform into eco-friendly transportation that contributes to reducing carbon emissions. In response to these social demands, the railway industry has recently been accelerating efforts to transition to hydrogen trains (hydrogen electric trains). In March, a demonstration project for the introduction of hydrogen trains was selected as a national research and development (R&D) project with a budget of 32.1 billion won, further detailing plans for operating eco-friendly trains.

Hydrogen trains are next-generation trains that use electricity generated from hydrogen fuel cells to power their motors, serving as a representative eco-friendly alternative to diesel trains. The fact that they emit no greenhouse gases or exhaust, and have more than double the energy efficiency compared to diesel engines, are considered major advantages of hydrogen trains.

Notably, hydrogen trains are compatible with existing railway tracks, making them both environmentally friendly and economically viable. With a maximum operating speed of 150 km/h and a range of over 600 km on a single charge, hydrogen trains are also regarded as well-suited for long-distance travel.

On the ground, commercialization is considered just as important as the development of hydrogen trains. There is broad consensus that, for hydrogen trains to be operated safely and reliably in daily life (commercialization), a robust hydrogen production and supply system must be established. Since hydrogen must be stored as a high-pressure gas, the development of safe storage technology and the systematic construction of charging infrastructure are of utmost importance.

Active cooperation between the government and private companies is also essential for the commercialization of hydrogen trains following their development. Currently, laws and regulations for the operation of hydrogen trains are being gradually revised. However, there is still much room for improvement. Clear standards and regulations are needed in areas such as hydrogen fuel cell legislation, the Railway Safety Act, and environmental regulations, including vehicle safety standards, criteria for charging station installation, and hydrogen fuel management. If the government and relevant agencies work together to establish a solid legal framework, the introduction and expansion of hydrogen trains will proceed more smoothly and rapidly.

Support from local governments is also a crucial factor in the commercialization process of hydrogen trains. Korea Railroad Corporation is currently working to establish hydrogen charging facilities that can serve both hydrogen trains and hydrogen buses. By the end of this year at the earliest, the final site for the charging facilities will likely be selected, taking into account the location and surrounding traffic conditions. Charging infrastructure is the most essential facility for operating hydrogen trains, and the active interest and support of local governments play a significant role in facilitating the construction of hydrogen charging stations.

The hydrogen train demonstration project is not simply aimed at verifying a new mode of transportation. It is an important project that marks the first step toward radically transforming the future of Korea's railway industry. This is why joint efforts from both the government and private companies are crucial. If this project is successfully implemented and all diesel trains are replaced by hydrogen trains, Korea will have the opportunity to lead the international community in sustainable, eco-friendly transportation systems.

Park Chaeok, President of Korea Railroad Research Institute

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.