The Class 230 battery train with fast charging system by Great Western Railway (GWR) has set a record for autonomous travel, covering 138 km without recharging in the UK, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This marks significant progress in electric transport technology. Previously, trains of this class only traveled 112 km without additional charging, indicating substantial performance improvements.

Express Service OOD has signed a contract for the delivery of 9 ES3000 battery locomotives

GWR engineers believe the train can surpass 190 km without recharging, a crucial step towards increasing the autonomy of battery trains.

The battery charging system, implemented at train terminals using short sections of contact rails, is an innovative solution.

Carbon ceramic current collector shoes can withstand significant heat, reducing charging time to just 3.5 minutes, significantly enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of battery-powered trains.

The first application of this system in real conditions is planned for spring 2024 in West Ealing.

The Class 230 battery train with fast charging system

This project will assess the effectiveness and reliability of the fast charging system in actual operation and confirm its potential for widespread adoption.

Automating the charging process and increasing the range of battery trains play a key role in transitioning to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system.

Video: youtube.com/@GWRUK

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