Get the latest tech news

Government approves millions for hydrogen-electric rail technology of the 'future': 'Only very few rail lines in the US are electrified'.

According to a news release from the state's transportation department, these train sets are "more efficient, lighter weight and more affordable than traditional locomotive-hauled coaches."

Swiss rail manufacturer Stadler and the state of California agreed to a $127 million deal in February that will lead to the construction of six additional zero-emission, hydrogen-powered passenger trains. Only very few rail lines in the U.S. are electrified, which is why solutions like the FLIRT [Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train] H2 are so important here," Stadler's EVP of Marketing and Sales, Ansgar Brockmeyer, said in a media release from October. Gavin Newsom's $10 billion zero-emission vehicle package, $407 million of which is dedicated to the California State Transportation Agency to purchase clean bus and rail equipment.

Get the Android app