Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains developed by Siemens Mobility have received authorization for passenger operation, paving the way for emission-free mobility in the Berlin-Brandenburg and Bavarian regions of Germany.

The seven Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains planned for the Heidekrautbahn line in Berlin-Brandenburg will save 1.1 million liters of diesel fuel per year and reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 3,000 tons. Locally produced hydrogen will feed the trains’ fuel cells, and water vapor will be the only emitted by-product. Energy efficiency will be further enhanced by means of recovered braking energy. The technology will also replace diesel trains at Bayrische Regiobahn in Bavaria, where diesel propulsion is scheduled to be fully phased out by 2040.

These trains offer an operating range of up to 1,200 km and are powered by a hydrogen traction system with a high drive power of 1.7 MW for accelerating up to 1.1 m/s² and a top speed of 160 km/h.

In addition to the hydrogen-powered systems, Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn Betriebsgesellschaft is launching a large fleet of Mireo Plus B battery trains from Siemens Mobility on its East Brandenburg network. The 31 battery trains will enter service in phases by the summer of 2025, based on a two-car trainset with a range exceeding 120 km on batteries alone. The new battery-electric trains will reduce diesel fuel consumption by around 4.4 million liters per year and eliminate local CO₂ emissions.