SBCTA moves forward with ZEMU Hydrogen Infrastructure

December 11, 2023

In October, SBCTA’s Zero Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU) made its U.S. debut at the American Public Transit Association’s national conference in Orlando, Florida. The ZEMU, developed by train manufacturer Stadler and in partnership with the California State Transportation Agency, will be the first self-powered hydrogen train in North America.

Currently, the ZEMU is undergoing federal safety testing in Colorado and is expected to be in service on the Metrolink line from the Downtown San Bernardino Transit Center to the University of Redlands in 2024.

The innovative clean rail vehicle uses hydrogen fuel cell technology to power its electric engine. At their December meeting, the SBCTA Board of Directors approved a contract with Air Liquide Hydrogen Energy U.S., LLC (H2E) for the Arrow Maintenance Facility (AMF) Hydrogen Fuel Upgrade Project.

H2E will design, construct and install the infrastructure that will provide hydrogen storage and transfer system that will fuel the ZEMU train at the AMF just east of SBCTA’s offices at the Santa Fe Depot.

This is another major milestone in bringing the ZEMU closer to revenue service to the general public in 2024.