How can the switch be made to alternative drives in rail transport? At the 3rd Rail platform meeting, 120 participants discussed progress, current challenges and successes in launching and developing alternative technologies in rail transport.
The Rail platform meeting provides information about the latest developments in battery, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in train transport and promotes exchange between representatives of the transport and stakeholder associations, manufacturers, research institutions, railway transport and infrastructure companies as well as policy-makers. It is hosted by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) and organized by NOW GmbH.
Following a welcome address from Prof. Corinna Salander, Head of the Department of Railways in the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), there will be presentations and podium discussions focusing on the issues of funding alternative drives in rail transport, innovations for rail as well as the question of why we can particularly benefit from safe and climate-friendly rail transport.
The BMDV’s ‘Alternative drives in rail transport’ funding programme
Across both funding calls in 2021 and 2022, 376 rail vehicles with zero or low-emission drives for local and freight rail transport as well as seven projects for the associated infrastructure needed for their operation were approved. In addition, 15 companies are currently examining how they can convert their operations to alternative drives.
The applications submitted in 2023 under the third funding call are currently being evaluated. Further information can be found here: www.now-gmbh.de/foerderung/foerderprogramme/alternative-antriebe-im-schienenverkehr