HYBUHTRAIN – Hydrogen engine and battery plug-in hybrid train
The HYBUHTRAIN project aims to deliver and demonstrate the world’s first hydrogen engine–battery plug-in hybrid train retrofit kit for passenger diesel multiple units (DMUs). Its core objective is to enable the rapid, cost-effective conversion of existing diesel trains into clean, efficient, zero-emission capable vehicles, helping European rail operators meet decarbonisation targets without waiting for slow and costly fleet replacement. The project will conduct a full operational demonstration of a retrofitted train in Poland.

On average, 57% of European railway lines are electrified. However, thousands of DMUs operate on non-electrified lines, particularly in regional and suburban corridors, emitting CO₂, NOx, and particulate matter. With many DMUs having 10–20 years of remaining service life, full replacement with new zero-emission rolling stock is slow and costly, making retrofitting a more viable pathway to meet climate goals within relevant timelines.

HYBUHTRAIN builds directly on the EIT Urban Mobility co-funded HYIPTRAIN project, which demonstrated a hydrogen internal combustion engine (H₂-ICE) train. The HYBUHTRAIN project adds a railway-certified battery system, electric motor, and advanced energy management system, creating a hybrid configuration that reduces hydrogen consumption by 20–35%, increases operational range, enables regenerative braking, and allows zero-emission entry and acceleration in stations and urban areas.

The retrofit kit solution is platform-agnostic and designed for replication across diverse DMU fleets, regardless of age or manufacturer. Installation is depot-based rather than OEM-dependent, enabling rapid, parallel deployment across regions. The modular architecture supports multiple configurations, including hydrogen-battery hybrids, battery-diesel hybrids, and full battery-electric conversions, allowing operators to choose solutions aligned with their duty cycles and infrastructure.

Partners: Riga Technical University (LV), DIGAS (lead partner) (LV), Mikroluch (UA), SKPL, Municipality of the City of Rzeszów (PL)

Total budget: 1,16M euros

Project duration: 2 years

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