Testing of trains with traction batteries on northern routes in England has been successful. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Testing of trains with traction batteries
Photo: Hitachi Rail

Hitachi Rail, Angel Trains, and TransPennine Express (TPE) conducted testing of trains with traction batteries, replacing one of four diesel engines with a 700 kW battery unit. They initially aimed to cut diesel fuel consumption by 30%, but fuel savings exceeded expectations, reaching 35-50%.

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Trains with traction batteries reach speeds of up to 120 km/h, with a range of up to 70 km without diesel engines. On non-electrified sections, diesel engines shut down near stations, reducing both noise and emissions significantly. The Nova 1 train demonstrated reliable schedule adherence, even on complex routes with varying demands.

The battery units match diesel generators in weight and size, minimizing excessive track load. Successful testing confirmed the feasibility of the next stage, which is the complete replacement of diesel engines with traction batteries. This change will support a contact-battery operation mode with a range of 100-150 km, ideal for partially electrified routes, thereby lowering infrastructure costs.

Hitachi Rail invested £17 million in this project and actively collaborates with British partners to develop next-generation battery technology.

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