SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – September 14, 2025 – The first hydrogen-powered passenger train in the U.S. made its debut in the Inland Empire Saturday and is now officially in service.
ZEMU – which stands for Zero Emission Multiple Unit – is the nation’s first federally compliant self-powered, zero-emission passenger train and is based in San Bernardino County.
On Saturday, residents were able to ride for free between San Bernardino and Redlands.
The train uses hybrid hydrogen and battery technology to propel the train and power onboard electrical systems. Water vapor is the only emission generated from the propulsion system, making this a clean transit alternative.
>> In Other News: Clean Energy Breaks Ground On Three Renewable Natural Gas Dairy Projects With Maas Energy Works
"ZEMU is proof of our commitment to improving regional air quality, embracing innovation, and expanding clean-air transit options throughout the county," said Rick Denison, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Board President. "I look forward to riding ZEMU and am excited for residents and visitors to experience this train firsthand."
The ZEMU train is also easily recognized by its blue and white water-vapor design.
ZEMU was built by Stadler, a Swiss train manufacturer, and arrived in San Bernardino in June 2024.
Subscribe to the newsletter
Daily decarbonization data and news delivered to your inbox
Follow the money flow of climate, technology, and energy investments to uncover new opportunities and jobs.
Latest issues
-
CF Industries Breaks Ground on $3.7B Blue Point
Inside This Issue 🏗️ Construction Begins on Blue Point Project 🧪 Commencement of FEED for the Live Oak Project for e-NG Production in Nebraska 🍁 Mercer International Secures C$20 Million Canadian ...
-
Freepoint Commits $450M to Emvolon's Modular Fuel Play
Inside This Issue ⛽ Emvolon and Freepoint Commodities Execute Multi-Year Definitive Agreements to Scale High-Value Liquid Fuels 🧪 Ammobia and Lummus Technology to Commercialize Ammonia for Low-Car...
-
Project Tundra Gets $205M in State Loans and a New Risk-Sharing Partner
Inside This Issue ⚡ Minnkota and Reliant Split Risk on Project Tundra CCS 🛢️ White House Pushes for More Refinery Waivers to Ease Pump Prices 🤝 Aker Solutions to Accelerate Carbon Capture and Remo...
Company Announcements
-
Summit Forfeits Two CO2 Storage Permits in North Dakota, Continues Legal Fight Over Third
Summit Carbon Solutions is abandoning two-thirds of its planned project to store carbon dioxide underground in North Dakota. The company, which had been granted permits to store CO2 in three desig...
-
Construction Begins on Blue Point Project
Ground has been broken on construction of the Blue Point project in Louisiana, USA. Project partners CF Industries, JERA, and Mitsui & Co. have broken ground on construction of ...
-
Mercer International Secures C$20 Million Canadian Backing for Alberta Pulp Mill Overhaul
The Canadian government has thrown a financial lifeline to Mercer International's Peace River pulp operation in northern Alberta, committing C$20 million toward a sweeping modernization of the faci...
-
Plantd Launches Biochar Line, Turning Waste Into Revenue & Better Soil
Advanced manufacturer expands beyond structural building panels, converting production byproduct into a silica-rich soil amendment for agriculture OXFORD, N.C., Aug. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- P...