Alstom acquires Cummins Hydrogen Fuel Cell Unit to strengthen Hydrogen Train portfolio

Saint Ouen, France (Metro Rail Today): Alstom has announced the acquisition of Cummins Inc.’s hydrogen fuel cell division, marking a significant step in strengthening its capabilities in hydrogen-powered rail solutions. The deal includes the transfer of engineering, product development and support capabilities used in the production and maintenance of hydrogen fuel cells for railway applications. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

The acquisition builds on Cummins’ earlier purchase of Canadian firm Hydrogenics in 2019 for $290 million, through which it had entered the hydrogen fuel cell segment. Over the years, Alstom has been a key customer for Hydrogenics and Cummins, utilising their fuel cell systems in its hydrogen train platforms.

Enhancing Reliability and Lifecycle Support

With this move, Alstom aims to bring critical fuel cell expertise in-house, ensuring better control over product performance, reliability and long-term maintenance of its hydrogen-powered train fleet. The company has deployed these fuel cells across multiple hydrogen train models, including the widely recognised Coradia iLint.

Commenting on the acquisition, Danny Di Perna, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Alstom, stated that integrating these capabilities will help the company enhance reliability and meet its commitments to customers across key European markets such as Germany, Italy and France.

Germany currently operates a fleet of 41 Coradia iLint hydrogen trains, while Alstom is executing orders for 14 Coradia Stream H units for Italy’s FNM and 12 Regiolis H2 trainsets for French regions. The acquisition is expected to support these ongoing and future deployments by strengthening technical and maintenance capabilities.

Offering her perspective, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said, “Alstom’s acquisition reflects a strategic shift toward consolidating critical clean technology capabilities within core operations. As the rail industry transitions toward low-emission alternatives, control over key components like hydrogen fuel cells will be essential for ensuring performance, reliability and scalability. This move reinforces the importance of innovation-led partnerships and vertical integration in advancing sustainable mobility solutions.”

Hydrogen vs Battery: The Technology Debate Continues

Despite its promise as a zero-emission alternative to diesel, hydrogen rail technology has faced growing scrutiny in recent years. Concerns over cost, efficiency and infrastructure requirements have led several European countries to increasingly favour battery-electric trains for non-electrified routes.

Alstom itself faced challenges last year when it had to pause certain hydrogen rolling stock developments following the withdrawal of government financial support. However, the company maintains that hydrogen remains a viable and sustainable solution, particularly for longer routes where battery limitations persist.

In this context, the acquisition signals Alstom’s continued commitment to hydrogen as a key pillar of its decarbonisation strategy, even as the broader industry evaluates multiple clean propulsion technologies.

Positioning for the Future of Sustainable Rail

As global rail operators push toward decarbonisation, the competition between hydrogen and battery technologies is intensifying. Alstom’s latest move underscores its intent to remain at the forefront of hydrogen innovation by securing control over a vital component of its technology stack.

The acquisition not only enhances Alstom’s operational capabilities but also positions the company to better address evolving market demands, regulatory pressures and customer expectations in the transition toward greener rail transport systems worldwide.