8 million euros! German hydrogen tram project is under development

The country's next-generation hydrogen tram project has been launched to develop a fuel cell-powered vehicle that would enable services to expand into new areas and create tram routes without electrification.

The HyTraGen research project is led by Hörmann Vehicle Engineering. Partners include Heiterblick, which will build the prototype tram, Flexiva Automation & Robotik, and the Technical University of Chemnitz, which will develop refueling strategies, simulate operation and test models of the fuel cell system. The prototype will be tested by the Gerlitz operator GVB at the end of 2026.

The €8 million project is funded by the second phase of the federal government’s National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Programme.