Accelerate the decarbonisation of intercity rail with batteries

A quick and easy application of battery technology is to install it on existing or future Hitachi intercity trains. Hitachi Rail’s modular design means this can be done without the need to re-engineer or rebuild the train and return them to service as quickly as possible for passengers.

Replacing one diesel engine with just one battery reduces emissions by more than 20% and offers cost savings of 20-30%. Our intercity battery powered trains can cover 70km on non-electrified routes, operating at intercity speeds at the same or increased performance.

Reduce CO2, lower noise and improve air quality at stations

The trains enter, alight and leave non-electrified stations in battery mode, reducing diesel emissions and minimising noise – helping to improve air quality and make train stations a cleaner environment for passengers. The technology charges on the move, increasing train range and reducing new infrastructure requirements.

A simple way to apply battery technology is through a retrofit programme, removing diesel engines from the existing Hitachi fleet to replace with batteries providing +750kW of power each. We use batteries that have already been proven as reliable and safe in the automotive sector, and then optimise them for rail use with our partner Turntide.

Decarbonising rail, one step at a time

Through phased replacement of diesel engines at the time that they would have been due for their regular heavy maintenance overhaul, operators will see immediate savings in fuel costs savings between 20-30% and a 20% reduction in whole life maintenance costs - well within the battery’s life span of 8-10 years. And, by retrofitting batteries to existing stock, we maximise asset utilisation, further contributing to a sustainable approach.

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