Supplement: Power
method. Relying solely on the battery supply for these operations has proven unpopular due to the amount of power required, and because new tracks and infrastructure necessary for high-speed travel has been designed with overhead power lines in mind. To maintain high speeds, it’s preferable to have direct power to the propulsion system, which is much more achievable with a pantograph.
Successes across the globe Both methods have their merits, and in recent years we have begun to see a number of innovative use cases relating to chargeable trains emerge. JR Kyushu’s DENCHA train, developed by Hitachi in 2016 for the Japanese rail network, runs on a hybrid system. Operating without an engine, the train uses the pantograph method to draw power from overhead lines during the electrifi ed sections of the network, then converting this to charge batteries while running and stopping. In areas where the pantograph isn’t suitable, such as non-electrifi ed lines, the train will run solely on battery power. This includes power attained through regenerative charging as the train breaks, which has resulted in a signifi cant reduction of CO2 emissions. Countries across Europe are also benefi ting
from similar innovations. For example, Alstom and VMS – the transport authority for Central Saxony in Germany – announced a new battery-powered train for use on the Chemnitz-Leipzig line in August 2023. The Alstom Coradia Continental train, has a range of up to 120km and can be used under catenary and on non-electrifi ed lines, and has a maximum speed of 160km/h. Using lithium-ion batteries means operators can offer catenary-free services while delivering optimal performance and an enjoyable passenger experience.
Subsequently, November 2024 saw the successful testing of the United Kingdom’s fi rst ever inter-city, battery-powered train. Carried out over major routes including York to Manchester Airport and Leeds to Liverpool Lime Street, the Hitachi-built train was able to operate solely in battery mode for 70km and reached over 120km/h. The same tests also found that using the train’s regenerative charging capabilities would reduce fuel savings by approximately 35-50 per cent, ensuring a greener service for operators and commuters alike.
Embracing change and innovation These developments are happening at a crucial
time, as regulators step up attempts to make railways even more environmentally friendly. In July 2024, new rail-focused initiatives included in the European Union’s Action Plan(4)
in order to improve rail
connectivity, make travel greener across the trans-European transport network, and relocate passenger air traffi c to the railway lines. The plan should double high-speed rail traffi c by 2030 (and triple it by 2050), and will remove obstacles and modernise rail infrastructure to enhance the quality of services throughout the EU.
The innovations we have seen in the rail market in recent years has helped projects like these become a reality. For example, battery powered trains need to be light because the heavier the carriages and onboard systems, the more energy is required to move them, quickly draining the battery. This makes lightweight and space- optimising wires and cables a necessity, which have been achieved through vendors
References (1)
(2)
like HUBER+SUHNER embracing technologies like RADOX.
The rail industry is also embracing technologies derived from other sectors to support battery powered trains. This includes the use of Megawatt Charging Solutions (MCS) – originally created for heavy-duty electric trucks and heavy goods vehicles – to quicken the charging process as trains pull into the station (see images opposite). All these successes demonstrate that chargeable trains aren’t just a gimmick. In fact, they are pivotal to aligning with international sustainability efforts and reducing the sector’s carbon emissions. As operators and manufacturers continue to innovate, there is no doubt we will see further enhancements to the way battery powered trains operate, and the hope is we continue to see new use cases and services launched worldwide in the near future.
https://www.hubersuhner.com/en
https://evergreenaction.com/blog/trains-are-a-climate-solution-just-not-in-the-united-states
https://www.iea.org/energy-system/transport/rail
(3)
https://www.caltrain.com/news/caltrain-welcomes-fi rst-passengers-new-electric-trains (4)
https://commission.europa.eu/news/transforming-rail-more-convenient-and-sustainable-train-travel- eu-2024-07-17_en
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