Cost Analysis of Battery and Hydrogen Powered Trains on Non-Electrified Regional Railways in Sweden
(2025) In CODEN:LUTEDX/TEIE EIEM01 20251Division for Industrial Electrical Engineering and Automation
- Abstract
- This thesis investigates the cost efficiency of two drivetrain configurations — Battery-Only and Hydrogen-Battery — for use in mini-trains operating on non-electrified rural railways. The study focuses solely on drivetrain-related components, including onboard energy storage, traction systems, and associated infrastructure such as charging stations and hydrogen refueling facilities. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to determine relevant cost parameters, followed by simulation and optimization routines implemented in MATLAB. The cost per train per trip (ptpt) was calculated for various battery capacities and infrastructure configurations, and a sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of fluctuating component... (More)
- This thesis investigates the cost efficiency of two drivetrain configurations — Battery-Only and Hydrogen-Battery — for use in mini-trains operating on non-electrified rural railways. The study focuses solely on drivetrain-related components, including onboard energy storage, traction systems, and associated infrastructure such as charging stations and hydrogen refueling facilities. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to determine relevant cost parameters, followed by simulation and optimization routines implemented in MATLAB. The cost per train per trip (ptpt) was calculated for various battery capacities and infrastructure configurations, and a sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of fluctuating component prices. The results show that Battery-Only conf igurations are consistently cheaper than Hydrogen-Battery alternatives, both in terms of upfront investment and operational expenditure. Depending on the chosen infrastructure setup, the Hydrogen-Battery configurations were found to be between 120% and 173% more expensive per train per trip. However, the study relies on several broad assumptions and considers only drivetrain components in the cost analysis. As a result, the optimization outcomes should be interpreted with caution. The findings should not be viewed as a comprehen
sive investment recommendation, but rather as an indicative cost comparison between different drivetrain technologies under simplified conditions. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- As climate change becomes an increasingly urgent issue, the demand for sustainable transport solutions is growing, particularly in rural areas, where alternatives are often limited. This thesis explores the potential of small electric trains—resembling buses in size and powered by either batteries or hydrogen fuel cells,for use on non-electrified railway lines in a cost-effective manner. The focus is on two energy systems: one that relies entirely on batteries, and another hybrid system in which hydrogen is used to generate electricity onboard via a fuel cell.
Using simulations and cost calculations, we compare how expensive these solutions would be to implement on the railway line between Borlänge and Malung in Sweden. We tested... (More) - As climate change becomes an increasingly urgent issue, the demand for sustainable transport solutions is growing, particularly in rural areas, where alternatives are often limited. This thesis explores the potential of small electric trains—resembling buses in size and powered by either batteries or hydrogen fuel cells,for use on non-electrified railway lines in a cost-effective manner. The focus is on two energy systems: one that relies entirely on batteries, and another hybrid system in which hydrogen is used to generate electricity onboard via a fuel cell.
Using simulations and cost calculations, we compare how expensive these solutions would be to implement on the railway line between Borlänge and Malung in Sweden. We tested different battery sizes, charging infrastructure configurations, and tank sizes when using hydrogen. All calculations were carried out using a custom-built MATLAB program.
Our results show that battery-powered trains are generally cheaper but require more charging stations and longer charging times. The hydrogen-based solution is more expensive, but it offers longer range and may be a better option where the electrical grid is weak or unavailable. However, the study relies on several broad assumptions and considers only drivetrain components in the cost analysis—which could limit the real-world applicability of the results.
This study demonstrates that there are promising alternatives to diesel-powered trains and electric trains using overhead lines, but further research is needed to fully understand the impacts of costs not related specifically to the drivetrain components. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9204914
- author
- Andersson, Johan LU and Wallin, Elliot
- supervisor
-
- Martin Tunér LU
- Mats Alaküla LU
- organization
- alternative title
- Kostnadsanalys av batteri- och vätgasdrivna tåg på oelektrifierade regionala järnvägar i Sverige
- course
- EIEM01 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
- subject
- keywords
- cost analysis, trains, hybrid trains, hydrogen, optimization, charging infrastructure, hydrogen infrastructure, mini trains, non-electrified tracks
- publication/series
- CODEN:LUTEDX/TEIE
- report number
- 5551
- language
- English
- id
- 9204914
- date added to LUP
- 2026-01-28 09:41:53
- date last changed
- 2026-01-28 09:41:53
@misc{9204914,
abstract = {{This thesis investigates the cost efficiency of two drivetrain configurations — Battery-Only and Hydrogen-Battery — for use in mini-trains operating on non-electrified rural railways. The study focuses solely on drivetrain-related components, including onboard energy storage, traction systems, and associated infrastructure such as charging stations and hydrogen refueling facilities. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to determine relevant cost parameters, followed by simulation and optimization routines implemented in MATLAB. The cost per train per trip (ptpt) was calculated for various battery capacities and infrastructure configurations, and a sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of fluctuating component prices. The results show that Battery-Only conf igurations are consistently cheaper than Hydrogen-Battery alternatives, both in terms of upfront investment and operational expenditure. Depending on the chosen infrastructure setup, the Hydrogen-Battery configurations were found to be between 120% and 173% more expensive per train per trip. However, the study relies on several broad assumptions and considers only drivetrain components in the cost analysis. As a result, the optimization outcomes should be interpreted with caution. The findings should not be viewed as a comprehen
sive investment recommendation, but rather as an indicative cost comparison between different drivetrain technologies under simplified conditions.}},
author = {{Andersson, Johan and Wallin, Elliot}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
series = {{CODEN:LUTEDX/TEIE}},
title = {{Cost Analysis of Battery and Hydrogen Powered Trains on Non-Electrified Regional Railways in Sweden}},
year = {{2025}},
}