A new study published in Applied Energy investigates optimal strategies for decarbonising Europe’s regional railway network, where over 40% of lines still rely on diesel traction.
Using a geospatial techno-economic framework at continental scale, the research shows that no single technology can meet all requirements. Instead, a diversified portfolio is needed to balance costs and emissions. Batteries are the most cost-effective solution for short, low-traffic routes, while hybrid hydrogen-battery systems become competitive for longer distances under favourable hydrogen costs. Electrification remains the preferred option for high-traffic corridors.
The study highlights that a single-technology strategy could increase total costs by up to 30%, whereas a tailored mix of solutions can reduce well-to-wheel emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel.
The work was carried out by researchers from STEPS (Gabriele Peyrani, Paolo Marocco, Marta Gandiglio and Massimo Santarelli) in collaboration with Alstom (Pierpaolo Cherchi).