Encouraged by the success of hybrid cars, Japan is now bringing the world hybrid trains. On October 19, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) made a test run of its New Energy Train-(NE Train). This is the world’s first fuel cell hybrid train and will increase fuel efficiency by 20 percent and reduce emissions by up to 60 percent. It has two 65 kilowatt fuel cells and six hydrogen tanks located below the floor and has a secondary battery located on the roof. The NE Tran emits only water and runs without receiving juice from any power lines and will have enough power to travel up to 60 mph. The batteries are recharged when the train slows and after the power is switched off, the motors continue to turn for a while and that energy - which is wasted in a nonhybrid train - is used to recharge the batteries.

Compared with cars, trains are a relatively small contributor to global warming. But the popularity of hybrid cars, like the Toyota Prius, is helping to give a boost to interest in hybrid trains. Railroad companies around the world, including Amtrak in the United States and Deutsche Bahn in Germany, are looking into the technology.