In Italy, eco-friendly railcars powered by biomethane have begun operating on scenic routes between Sulmona–Carpinone and Pergola–Fabriano, reaching speeds of up to 130 km/h and seating 68 passengers. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

In Italy, eco-friendly railcars powered by biomethane have begun operating on scenic routes between Sulmona–Carpinone and Pergola–Fabriano, reaching speeds of up to 130 km/h and seating 68 passengers
Photo: Ansa

The project is a result of a collaboration between national railway operator FS, Hitachi Rail, and energy company Snam. The three parties signed a memorandum of understanding in 2019, initiating the modernization of the train fleet.

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FS conducted a full overhaul of ALn 668 railcars, originally produced in the 1980s. The refurbishment, carried out at the Rimini depot, included new bogies, refurbished transmissions, upgraded engines, and a redesigned passenger cabin.

Railcar Modernization Efforts in Italy

Hitachi Rail converted the engines to run on liquefied biomethane, increasing the range from 500 to 600 km. This change also cut CO₂ emissions by 20%, improving the trains’ environmental performance.

The railcars are also capable of operating on alternative biofuels. In that case, CO₂ emissions could be reduced by up to 80%, aligning with the European Union’s climate-neutral transport policies.

Why Italy is Investing in Biofuels?

This technology helps preserve historical rolling stock by adapting it to modern environmental and tourism demands, combining heritage with innovation.

Italy is taking a strategic step toward sustainable mobility. The use of liquefied biomethane underlines the country’s commitment to low-emission transport and carbon footprint reduction.

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