Major milestone for zero-emission regional rail transport as Romania awards its first-ever hydrogen contract
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Romania’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train fleet will run on Ballard fuel cell technology, marking another important step in Ballard’s long-standing collaboration with Siemens Mobility and the expansion of hydrogen-powered rail in Europe.
Ballard has secured an order for 24 FCrail™ 200kW fuel cell engines, totaling 4.8MW, to power 12 Siemens Mobility Mireo Plus H trains for Romania’s Railway Reform Authority (ARF). This represents the largest commercial deployment of the Mireo Plus H platform to date and its first outside Germany.
Fuel cell engine deliveries are scheduled for 2027 and 2028, with the trains expected to enter passenger service in 2029.
Bringing hydrogen power to Romania’s regional rail network
For rail operators, replacing diesel-powered trains on non-electrified routes is an important part of modernizing passenger services and reducing local emissions. Hydrogen fuel cell technology offers a practical solution, combining long range and fast refueling with the flexibility to operate without continuous overhead electrification.
Romania’s new fleet will bring these capabilities to its regional rail network. The project is the country’s first hydrogen train contract and one of the first hydrogen regional train fleet projects in Eastern Europe, supporting Romania’s longer-term transport decarbonization objectives.
“With this order, we will introduce our proven and trusted Mireo trains as well as hydrogen-powered rail transport to Eastern Europe. The 12 Mireo Plus H trains will make up Romania's first hydrogen-powered train fleet, based on our reliable Mireo platform and the successful deployment of this technology in Germany."
[Source: Ballard]
Thomas Graetz
Head of Regional & Commuter Rail, Siemens Mobility
Proven fuel cell technology, integrated for rail
At the core of the Mireo Plus H is a hydrogen fuel cell-based electric propulsion system supported by battery energy storage. Ballard’s fuel cell engines generate electricity to power the train, while the batteries store energy supplied by the fuel cells and recovered through regenerative braking.
The Romanian fleet builds on previous Mireo Plus H deployments in Germany and Siemens Mobility’s established regional train platform. For Ballard, the order extends a collaboration supported by a multi-year supply commitment established in 2022 and reflects the continued application of our fuel cell technology in demanding rail environments.
“We are deeply grateful for our partnership with Siemens Mobility and their passionate commitment to expanding zero-emission rail technology across Europe. Together, we are innovating and delivering clean transport solutions that are leading the industry."
Marty Neese
CEO, Ballard
The Mireo Plus H has already been servicing rail passengers in Europe, with the zero-emission model originally introduced on Germany's Heidekrautbahn line in December 2024 - integrating two Ballard 200kW fuel cell engines and reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 2,500 tons per unit annually.