East Japan Railway Company is to test-drive the world's first fuel cell-powered train in July this year, the company has announced.

The train will use a hydrogen tank and two fuel cells, generating power via a chemical reaction between the hydrogen and the oxygen. This power will be enough to propel the train along, reaching a top speed of 100 km per hour.

The only by-product of the reaction will be water, the company said. This will help to reduce environmental pollution compared to existing electric and diesel trains.

Fuel cell-powered trains will also help to improve the scenery when electric-power lines are dropped from Japan's network of railroads.

If this summer's test run is successful, the new train will be put into trial operation in April 2007.

The railway company is currently developing a system capable of long-distance travel.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd