Germany: On its social media accounts, the Swiss manufacturer has shared a video demonstrating the dynamic testing of the single-car prototype. The tests are carried out in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and focus on checking the performance of the traction drive and braking systems.
The testing programme is expected to complete by the end of the year. In early 2027, Stadler plans to submit documents to Germany’s Federal Railway Authority EBA for the certification of the new vehicle. The railbus is reported to have a design speed of 120 km/h and a range of 850 km in autonomous mode without refuelling.
The RS ZERO was one of the debuts at InnoTrans 2024. Its key innovation is the use of two hydrogen-powered 220 kW 6-cylinder inline internal combustion engines from Deutz, Germany. The technology has been applied to passenger rail transport for the first time. In comparison, the hydrogen-powered Stadler FLIRT H2, presented at InnoTrans 2022, uses fuel cells, similar to rolling stock from other manufacturers.
Testing of the RS ZERO prototype in the Northern Berlin. Source: Stadler
The producer has opted for the internal combustion engine as a propulsion system due to its better weight and space characteristics, which is crucial for a railbus with an axle load under 18 t. An additional advantage of this traction system is the ability to use standard diesel engine technological processes for the maintenance of the hydrogen engine. This facilitates the transition to advanced rolling stock, making it more cost-effective, according to Stadler.
