SNCF on its way to innovation for the planet

Since 1938, the French National Railway Company (SNCF) has been the main player in rail transport. Created by an agreement between the state and existing railway companies, it covers the areas of passenger and freight transport, and manages the operation and maintenance of the entire state network. The network has undergone many changes since its creation thanks to improvements to make it more efficient and to respond to societal problems. Today, SNCF’s key issue is the environmental issue. This is a major challenge, which the group takes very seriously in its development strategy.

The SNCF group committed to the environment

The SNCF is first of all more than 30,000 kilometers of rail network including 2600 kilometers of high-speed line intended to transport passengers on both sides of the territory. This makes it the main player in mobility. In order to reconcile mobility and climate emergency, the network intends to make a long-term commitment through innovative solutions. Although rail transport accounts for only 1% of the CO2 emitted, the group wants to take responsibility. Indeed, the train is 30 times less polluting than the car. For example, it plans to reduce its gas emissions by 20% compared to 2014 and by 40% alongside its subsidiary Thalys by 2030. (2) Thus, in order to reduce its impact on the environment, the group is implementing concrete solutions through an action plan aimed at its entire scope of activity. (3)

This action plan includes changes in restoration. Organic and local are now favoured for the preparation of meals. The group also implements solutions to optimize the filling of its trains, and adopt eco-responsible driving techniques by guiding drivers. To this, the group adds the continuous improvement of the network on the technical level to make it ever cleaner and more efficient.

The SNCF group is committed to the continuous improvement of its network and the project of the train of tomorrow

The group’s ambitious plan for tomorrow’s train

Through this desire to commit to the environment and through innovation, we find a project to set up the train of tomorrow. Indeed, the group decided to accelerate the circulation of hydrogen trains to green its network. The group has placed an order for some fifteen trains with the manufacturer Alstom. The train works with a fuel cell principle powered by hydrogen and oxygen from the air. The reaction in the battery will thus produce electricity to power the battery. The only release produced is clean since it is only water in liquid or gaseous form.

Here is a new approach to reducing CO2 emissions. This almost utopian project could see the light of day in 2022 to replace the polluting diesel trains still installed on most of the network. The aim is to completely eliminate diesel trains within 15 years. Diesel still accounts for 25% of the energy consumed by TERs. It is also responsible for 75% of their CO2 emissions. (4) New Aquitaine is one of the regions that will be able to benefit first from these new trains. Namely that hydrogen has already proven itself since 2018 in Germany with the Coradia iLint.

The group therefore shows its willingness to adapt over time to the problems facing society. Through this ambitious project for the planet, SNCF is showing its ability to take the lead in innovation. A project that we look forward to seeing bear fruit, hoping to be on a zero-emission train tomorrow.

Sources:

  1. SNCF Network – SNCF
  2. SNCF Commitments SNCF – Updated on 26 August 2020
  3. The commitment of a large group to the planet SNCF – Updated on 26 August 2020
  4. Innovating for tomorrow’s train SNCF – Updated on 24 July 2019
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