Couple new updates...………...
The Indian Express has reported that it plans to have new developed in India hydrogen trains plying suburban commuter routes by the end of 2021. These trains will originally help phase out any diesel trains but also, surprisingly, many catenary ones as well. The latter reason is to reduce the overall usage of electricity as much of Indian production comes from coal and oil. The hydrogen is also seen as more reliable than catenary as many Indian cities suffer from extreme weather events like monsoons in Mumbai which can wreak havoc on the electrical infrastructure.
Norway, according to railwayjournal, announced 6 days ago the it compared many potential systems to de-carbonize it's entire passenger rail system by 2030 including hydrogen, battery, biofuel, solar,,and catenary and has decided to go 100% battery. It was shown to be the most economical and versatile technology. Not only will these battery trains be used on non-catenary suburban/regional routes but also on cross country one including an 800km single route line by using recharging during travel, using contact & contactless catenary small catenary sections while still travelling. and catenary sections at stops along the way. This is a confirmed go ahead so soon an entire country's non-catenary systems will be battery. A huge leap forward for the technology and a resounding support of how Norway views the technology as both economical and applicable.