Supplement: Power


Battery powered trains - the key to the ‘green’ rail revolution?


By Alfonso G. Pérez Varela, vice president business development railway at HUBER+SUHNER A


cross most industries and regions, the topic of sustainability now finds itself at the top of the agenda for most businesses and institutions.


The rail industry is no different, with operators finding themselves under increased pressure to find innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and meet stringent sustainability targets devised by relevant authorities.


Railway lines continue to play a pivotal role in society, yet by the end of 2023, trains alone were generating 35 million metric tonnes(1)


of carbon pollution each year. With new high-speed and intelligent rail services being introduced year-on-year, it’s no surprise that operators are being encouraged to turn to electrification, which provides the means for the industry to expand while reducing the environmental damage it causes.


Embracing clean energy To this end, we are seeing a brand-new evolution of a near 200-year-old industry through the rapid electrification of rail lines worldwide. The vast majority of trains across Europe and Asia are now electric, accounting for more than 85% of worldwide passenger rail activity, and 55% of freight(2)


. China is leading


the way in terms of electrified lines, closely followed by India and Russia, and while the United States is lagging behind, developments such as Caltrain’s $2.5 billion Electrification Project(3)


is helping to bridge this gap.


When it comes to embracing clean energy sources for operations, operators have a range of choices available. One such solution is the use of hydrogen trains, which have been rolled out in regions across China in recent years. In these instances, energy can be generated through the electrochemical reaction of oxygen and hydrogen within the train’s fuel cell, with this process ensuring no nitrogen is emitted. Still a relatively new concept to the rail sector – the world’s first hydrogen powered, 160km/h intercity train was first rolled out in Chengdu in December 2022 –


36 May 2025


commuters are already growing accustomed to these ecofriendly services, and it can be expected that hydrogen powered trains will become increasingly commonplace in global networks soon.


Using a pantograph


As lines become increasingly electrified, battery powered trains have also grown in prominence, with two methods currently favoured by operators. The first of these involves the use of an overhead power line, and a piece of equipment commonly known as a pantograph.


Mounted to the roof of a carriage, the pantograph makes contact with the power line during transit to collect power and charge the battery found within the train. This method enables high-speed travel and a reduction of carbon emissions while trains are in service.


Components in Electronics


While a promising option for greener services, there remains some drawbacks. For a start, new overhead lines, substations and power grid enhancements will be required if this method is to become commonplace, and this will come at a price. There are also aesthetic and safety issues linked to the powerlines that must be addressed too, and presently many authorities do not allow them to enter their municipalities. This means charging is only possible outside city limits - making trains using these unsuitable for intercity applications. Charging trains via pantograph also proves a challenge in train depots too, mainly due to the number of track lines running through these areas. Increased use and extreme weather conditions can also reduce the effectiveness of this method. However, pantograph demonstrably works as a charging solution, and once operators and authorities overcome these issues, it will play a crucial role in establishing greener rail services.


A suitable alternative


Charging stations are also being utilised by rail operators to charge batteries during transit, opening up services for intercity travel. Unlike


the pantograph method, which is reliant on overhead lines, these trains are charged at designated stations installed across a rail network.


While these stations also require an overhaul of existing infrastructure, this is a much more cost-effective process, and some lines already have these stations in use. As this method requires no overhead wires to be installed, it also means they can be used over older, non-electrified tracks to serve a greater number of passenger and freight operations, without mentioning also the costs advantages when it comes to the maintenance. As mentioned previously, trains can also be used for monorail and local services within cities too, as the same concerns over aesthetics and safety do not apply to this method. Of course, the distance reached and frequency of these services are dependent on the energy efficiency of the battery and the availability of charging infrastructure. This method requires numerous stops at stations and depots during transit for effective charging, which can potentially slow services. When it comes to high-speed services, many operators prefer the continuous power supply delivered through a pantograph


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