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.
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"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.
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