The cost isn’t what they are demonstrating here. It’s the feasibility of the tech. Electric cars had to pass the feasibility test before anyone was going to pay the high new tech prices. I think Tesla’s were 100k to begin with? The range was about the same or less than a gas car but I can’t imagine it being successful if it only had a 150mile range.
Once people think the tech is good enough they will be hoping the price comes down so everyone can use it not just rich people
This isn’t just a feasibility demonstrator, it’s the first unit of a four unit order that’s supposed to enter service this year. The testing in Colorado is for federal certification to use the train in revenue service on railroads in the U.S. Setting a Guinness World Record was just a side effort for publicity and to show the full capabilities of the system.
For regional train lines/freight lines full electrification isn't feasible due to the length of track, diesels still rule the train world because of this
I honestly think this is just cheaping out, and I bet electrification will pay off on a long enough horizon.
Fwiw, I think basically all of Sweden where I live is electrified - 80% of the rails, with the 20% principally being a freight line in the far north used for the purposes of transporting ore from the mines.
These stories almost never mention fuel used, or fuel cost, in case someone does the math and figures out just how expensive these vehicles are to run.
Because that's not the point, hydrogen is the most abundant fuel we have access to. The idea that we shouldn't be using it is just dumb. It's what's more than likely going to fuel our ships to other planets eventually. It's one of the reasons finding water on planets and moons is a big deal. The thought from the battery crew that we shouldn't pursue hydrogen is just stupid.