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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on World Economic Forum or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The U.S. has launched its first hydrogen-powered train in California, following the lead of countries like Germany, the UK, and France, which are adopting hydrogen technology to decarbonize rail transport
• The Zero Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU) aims to reduce emissions in public transport and is set for full service in 2025
🔭 The context: Hydrogen trains provide a cleaner alternative to diesel, offering benefits like lower infrastructure costs compared to electric trains
• However, challenges remain in hydrogen production and safety, especially given the need for new infrastructure to store and handle hydrogen
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Hydrogen-powered trains can play a vital role in the shift towards sustainable transport by reducing emissions in a traditionally carbon-intensive industry, contributing to the global push for net-zero emissions
⏭️ What's next: The future success of hydrogen trains depends on scaling up green hydrogen production and developing safe, efficient infrastructure
• A combination of hydrogen and electric trains may be the key to achieving fully decarbonized rail networks
💬 One quote: "The success of hydrogen trains will depend on parallel developments in green hydrogen production and supporting infrastructure"
📈 One stat: Germany launched the world’s first hydrogen-powered train in 2018, paving the way for other countries to follow
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