Alstom has won the Canadian Urban Transit Association’s (CUTA) Award for Environmental Sustainability. Alstom’s Coradia iLint H₂-powered train was the first H₂-powered train transporting passengers in all of North America. It carried more than 10,000 passengers in a demonstration project in Quebec from mid-June to the end of September 2023 on the Réseau Charlevoix rail network along the Saint-Lawrence River.

Michael Keroullé, President Alstom Americas said, “This summer, we demonstrated that H₂ trains can be an attractive, safe and viable alternative to diesel on non-electrified lines and that Alstom can do it right here in North America. We proudly accept the 2023 CUTA Environmental Sustainability Award and thank the association for helping elevate transit innovation and excellence in Canada.”

Using Alstom’s green H₂-powered train on this route helped save approximately 8,400 liters of diesel and averted 22 tons of CO₂ direct emissions, compared to the diesel trains that normally service this route. During the demonstration project, Alstom and its partners, have laid the foundation of a comprehensive, safe and efficient H₂ ecosystem for the heavy transportation sector in North America, from production to refueling to operation. This is  the first project from the Americas Innovation Center bringing  thought leadership, as well as technical, operational and regulatory expertise on green propulsion solutions.

In addition, Alstom and its partners welcomed 34 commercial, governmental and regulatory delegations from all over North America to experience this H₂-propulsion technology, setting the stage for wider implementation of green transit across North America.

Alstom also received a second CUTA Award, for the Rainbow Train, a virtual pride parade, the first ever awarded in the equity, diversity and inclusion category.