PESA, the Bydgoszcz-based train manufacturer, has signed a letter of intent with two Swedish companies to implement its hydrogen shunting locomotives in Sweden. The first locomotives are expected to be operational by late 2027 or early 2028.
The partnership includes Väte Rail, a Swedish railway operator that recently signed a contract to manage shunting operations for a global steel producer. The agreement aims to decarbonize these operations, and Väte Rail has chosen PESA’s hydrogen-powered locomotive as a key step toward achieving its zero-emission goals.
Earlier this year, in June, representatives from the Swedish companies traveled to Poland to test the SM42-6Dn locomotive in real operating conditions on the railway siding in Inowrocław.
“Our strategy is to decarbonize all our transport activities by 2030. Our vision is to be the greenest rail operator in Sweden, and I believe that if you want to be ‘green’ on the railway, you need to use hydrogen power,” said Jan Forslund, President and owner of Väte Rail.
The letter of intent was signed in Berlin, marking a significant step toward sustainable rail transport.
Hankavik Joins the Project to Expand PESA’s Reach in Sweden
Hankavik, the third partner in this collaboration, has started discussions with PESA and will be responsible for introducing the hydrogen locomotives to the Swedish market. This move is in line with PESA’s Strategy 2030+, focusing on expanding its presence in Scandinavian markets.
“We are thrilled that our first vehicle to operate on Swedish tracks could be our emission-free hydrogen locomotive,” said Krzysztof Zdziarski, President of PESA Bydgoszcz. “Using the experience gained with the SM42-6Dn, we are already working on a next-generation hydrogen locomotive, which will also feature additional power supply from electric traction.”
PESA’s Hydrogen Locomotive: A Pioneer in European Rail
The SM42-6Dn, developed by PESA, is the first hydrogen locomotive approved for use in Europe. This fully emission-free vehicle is powered by two hydrogen fuel cells, each with an 85 kW capacity, and features four asynchronous motors with a combined power output of 720 kW. It is primarily intended for traditional shunting operations at rail sidings and terminals.
Building on its achievements, PESA has started developing a new shunting locomotive, known as the 2H, which will not only use hydrogen fuel cells but also have an additional power supply from electric traction. This will enable the movement of rail compositions from terminals within regional rail networks. The prototype for the PESA Loco 2H is expected to be ready by late 2026 or early 2027.
This partnership signifies an important milestone in the decarbonization of rail transport, setting the stage for the rollout of innovative hydrogen-powered locomotives in Sweden.
