Coradia Polyvalent HEMU prototype at Velim
updated on 23rd Sep 2025 14:53 posted on 8th Sep 2025 09:55
Since 2018 SNCF has been developing a project for the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell-powered trains on its TER services. The first of these trains were scheduled to be put in service in 2022, with a view to the complete elimination of DMUs from TER services by 2035. To carry the project through a steering committee was created in December 2018, composed of SNCF, the Régions and Alstom. This is responsible for overseeing the deployment of the first trains and adapting the rail network and infrastructure for this propulsion technology.
The first tests of HEMUs on TER services were scheduled for 2021, with several Régions having expressed an interest in the eventual use of these trains. The first tests using HEMUs were scheduled for 2022 and commercial service was expected at the end of 2023. These tests will take place alongside those of hydrogen plus electric hybrids and other types using biofuels.
Initially it was envisaged that the trains will be built by Alstom, therefore the Coradia Polyvalent platform, destined mostly for the French customers, was used, rather than the Coradia iLint offered to clients so far. The prototype is an electric and hydrogen fuel cell hybrid. It has a top speed of 160 km/h, and will be capable of a range of 600 km using its fuel cells alone. It will be able to carry up to 220 passengers.
On 29 August 2019, then SNCF chairman Guillaume Pépy announced his intention to order 15 of these trains for Régions Burgundy-Franche-Comte, Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, Grand Est and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, i. e. 5 x 3 units. Nevertheless, a batch of 12 four-car HEMUs was ordered from Alstom in 2021 by the Régions, because Nouvelle-Aquitaine finally decided not to participate, so the contract is now for 4 x 3 trains.
At present 95 % of all hydrogen produced is derived from fossil fuels. SNCF thus intends to develop means for the „green“ production of hydrogen, using processes such as the electrolysis of water.
However, the Coradia Polyvalent, which was developed for the French market (and also found application in some African countries) and was produced by the Reichshoffen works, is no more in Alstom‘s portfolio. In August 2022, this plant, together with its production there, was taken over by CAF in accordance with the requirements of European regulatory authorities when approving the takeover of Bombardier Transportation by Alstom in January 2021 (similarly, the Talent 3 platform has also been transferred to CAF).
We asked Alstom a few questions:
1) What caused the delay in the production and operation of the prototype 84901 M, when it was originally planned to be in service in 2022? We envisage that any delay arose already in the time of preparing the structural design. And also on account the fact that the project waited in and around 2022 for decision who will take over the Reichshoffen works and Coradia Polyvalent family, true?
Alstom answered: "We can confirm that the transfer of the Reichshoffen site and the Regiolis portfolio to CAF has not led to any significant delays in the execution of current contracts. For more information please refer to CAF."
2) Is this train to be approved only for France?
"When Alstom was responsible for this project, the batch of Class 84900 trains were only intended for the French market. But the new entity responsible for the assembly and testing of these trains (CAF) may have changed this option. Please refer to CAF only (arrangements made prior to 2022 are invalid in this respect)."
3) If Coradia Polyvalent family is not part of Alstom's portfolio since August 2022, what hydrogen trains will Alstom offer to SNCF and the French regions? Or will the Class 84900 be produced by CAF for SNCF?
"Originally built by Alstom at its Reichshoffen plant, Regiolis (Class 84900) trains are now being built by CAF France, following the transfer of this plant in the second half of 2022. This transfer is a quid pro quo for Alstom's acquisition of Bombardier Transportation."
4) Thus which type of HMU or HEMU is Alstom now offering for France instead of Coradia Polyvalent?
"Today, no Alstom hydrogen train has been approved for France. This is because no French customer has ordered an hydrogen train from Alstom yet. However, if a French customer were to place an order for an hydrogen train from Alstom (such as the Coradia iLint), we would take care of the homologation of the train within the framework of this contract, but we are talking here about purely hypothetical situations."
5) And what progress occured in the project of an electric locomotive with a Tender H2 generator wagon? See here.
"Following a series of simulations carried out on the H2RE model, a new energy configuration had to be put in place so that the generator wagon could provide the power needed to keep the electric locomotive running smoothly. This new configuration, which reverses the proportions between hydrogen and batteries, may no longer meet the objectives of the roadmap set out in the French hydrogen strategy. In this context, and pending the conclusions of the French government, which is currently reassessing its national low-carbon strategy, Alstom has decided to suspend development activities associated with the hydrogen-powered generator wagon.
Alstom’s other projects funded by IPCEI (including the hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive project developed at Alstom’s Belfort site) are proceeding normally and are in no way impacted by the temporary suspension of development activities associated with the generator wagon."
6) From when to when will the prototype 84901 M be present on the Velim circuit? What tests are being carried out with it there? How long will the 84901 M be tested in France? When do you expect the Class 84901 to be approved for operation?
"Please note that the Coradia Polyvalent H2 is today assembled by CAF. Therefore, all questions related to the tests campaign should be directed to CAF, as they manage the tests campaign."
We poised CAF the subsequent questions:
1) Was the 84901 M manufactured by CAF or Alstom? Is this prototype still owned by Alstom?
CAF answered us: "The Coradia Polyvalent platform is included in the procurement agreement for the Reichshoffen plant, including the Hydrogen unit. If further procurements or contract extensions are made under the agreement, the Alstom-CAF consortium would manufacture the units in Reichshoffen, according to the terms stipulated in the agreement (details cannot be provided)."
2) From when to when will the prototype 84901 M be present on the Velim circuit? What tests are being carried out with it there? How long will the 84901 M be tested in France? When do you expect the Class 84900 to be approved for operation?
The company answered: "CAF never provides details on the status of projects."