Innotrans 2022 saw the public unveiling of Stadler’s new hydrogen fuel cell FLIRT, developed specifically for California’s unique local conditions. (Namely, litigious NIMBYs using CEQA to prevent the dire environmental harm of having to look at 25 kV overhead wires).
Data sheet:
[
www.stadlerrail.com]
Key specs:
116 seats
Top speed 79 mph
700 kW and about 5 kW/tonne (more anemic than a TexRail DMU)
Range less than 300 miles
I expect this RDC of the 21st century to attract tons of consultant-fueled taxpayer dollars to be misapplied to all the wrong corridors in the name of CEQA, no wires, and general greenwashing. But I guess some kinds of bonfires are good.
Congrats to Stadler for perfectly calibrating how to make a buck in California!