Apart from reducing carbon emission, it also eliminates the catenary operating system of electric locomotives, saving huge infrastructure investment.

BEIJING, Dec 29: The world's first hydrogen-powered train was rolled out in China on Wednesday. It was launched from the assembly line in Chengdu in Sichuan province in south-west China.

Developed by CRRC Changchun railway Co and Chengdu Rail Transit, the train has a maximum speed of 160 kmph and the battery has a life of 600 km, according to Chengdu Daily.

Hydrogen is zero-carbon emission fuel. The energy is created by the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the hydrogen fuel cell. The byproduct is only water and no nitrogen or sulphur products.

Hydrogen-energy vehicles can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by thousands of kilograms in a year, it is claimed. Besides, it eliminates the catenary operating conditions (a catenary is a system of overhead wires used to supply electricity to a locomotive). Huge infrastructure investment is saved. It also helps introduce rail service in non-electrifiable areas, revolutionising the transport sector.

China has 270 hydrogen refueling stations. Earlier, Chinese truck-maker FAW Jiefang had manufactured 300 vehicles.