JR East announced on July 14 that it will begin commercial operation of its FV-E991 Series “HYBARI” hydrogen hybrid train by the end of fiscal 2027.
HYBARI is a hybrid rail vehicle equipped with a hydrogen-fueled fuel cell system and storage batteries. Its name stands for “Hydrogen-Hybrid Advanced Rail Vehicle for Innovation.” The train generates electricity by chemically reacting hydrogen stored onboard with oxygen in the air, producing no carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions while running. Since March 2022, demonstration testing has been conducted on the Tsurumi Line and Nambu Line to verify vehicle performance and system stability.
▲Inside the FV-E991 Series “HYBARI” before modifications for commercial operation
JR East will now modify the trains for commercial service, with operations scheduled to begin by the end of fiscal 2027 between Tsurumi and Ogimachi stations on the Tsurumi Line, and between Shitte and Hama-Kawasaki stations on the Nambu Branch Line. Hydrogen will be refilled at Kamakura Rolling Stock Base Nakahara, adjacent to Musashi-Nakahara Station on the Nambu Line (formerly the Nakahara Branch of Kamakura Rolling Stock Center). One refill will enable the train to travel approximately 70 kilometers.
At the same time, JR East will begin developing a next-generation hydrogen hybrid train. It aims to become the first railway operator in the world to use 70-megapascal high-pressure hydrogen in a rail vehicle, achieving a range comparable to that of diesel railcars and performance suitable for operation across a wide range of lines, including sections with continuous gradients.
The next-generation train is planned to enter commercial service by the end of fiscal 2030. In conjunction with its introduction, facilities capable of refilling high-pressure hydrogen in a shorter time will also be developed. Looking ahead, JR East will consider the use of hydrogen imported from overseas and explore overseas deployment of the train system.
