Hyundai Rotem used InnoTrans 2026 to present design concepts for a 400 km/h trainset aimed at international markets and a 220 km/h hydrogen fuel cell multiple-unit, alongside an update on a hydrogen freight locomotive now under construction.

The freight locomotive is the most advanced of the three programmes. Hyundai Rotem is building a prototype six-axle hydrogen locomotive for the South Korean government, with completion scheduled for next year. The vehicle pairs a total power output of 3 MW — comparable to the existing diesel fleet — with regenerative braking.

The rationale for the project is strategic rather than environmental. Because the Korean War officially never ended, the government requires retention of a fleet of diesel locomotives in case the conflict restarts and electric traction power is lost.

'The government is looking into replacing the diesel locos with hydrogen ones, so Hyundai Rotem is building a test vehicle for that purpose. The prototype vehicle is scheduled to be finished next year, and if the tests go well, the government would place an order,' the manufacturer told Railway Gazette International.

That order remains conditional on test results, so the size and timing of any series production are not yet defined.

Hydrogen high speed derivative

The second hydrogen concept shown in Berlin derives from the KTX-Sancheon high speed train. The design places fuel cell power cars at each end of a rake of unpowered coaches, with a maximum speed of 220 km/h on the open line, reduced to 160 km/h in tunnels.

Hyundai Rotem said further design work would follow and a prototype would be produced in the event of an order. No customer or launch date was announced.

The concept builds on the manufacturer's earlier work in the sector. Hyundai Rotem displayed a demonstrator hydrogen fuel cell tram at InnoTrans 2024, and further products will be developed based on that experience.

400 km/h export trainset

The headline export product is the Next-Generation High Speed Train, with a design speed of 400 km/h and a service speed of 370 km/h.

'Passengers will feel the emotion of their journey through the updated design, rather than just a simple change in appearance,' Hyundai Rotem said of the styling.

The company intends to continue development of the vehicle after the InnoTrans fair closes, and aims to sell it both in the domestic Korean market and globally. No operator commitments, certification timeline or delivery schedule accompanied the announcement.

All three concepts remain at early stages: one prototype under construction, two awaiting orders before prototype production begins.