Battery Powered Trains

Hitachi’s UK regional battery train can reach top speeds of near of 144-162 km/h, without compromising on seats, carriages or passenger experience.

Travelling up to 90km just on batteries and recharging whilst in motion under the wires, it will offer seamless journeys on non-electrified suburban or branch routes, particularly around key towns and cities.

Our battery train technology is a perfect solution to help with the shift to a net-zero carbon economy, whilst supporting cost efficient and sustainable new train delivery options for non-electrified routes.

With a design focused on whole-life costing, the battery technology is based on our existing Class 385 commuter fleet currently in operation in the UK in Scotland.

A quick and easy application of battery technology is to install it on existing or future Hitachi intercity trains. A retrofit programme would involve removing diesel engines and replace with batteries.

Hitachi Rail’s modular design means this can be done without the need to re-engineer or rebuild the train, this ensures trains can be returned to service as quickly as possible for passengers. Adding a battery reduces fuel costs up to 30% or increase performance.

These trains will be able to 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.

Our battery solution complements electrification, connecting gaps and minimising potential infrastructure costs and disruption to service.

Hitachi Rail has developed a new technology that can be adapted to existing trams.

This technology allows trams to travel on some sections of their routes that do not have overhead wires, such as the historic centres of cities: all this translates into better environmental performance, less impact in the urban context and cost savings for infrastructure installation.

The new technology is based on an on-board energy storage system (OBESS), flexible and able to be installed on the roof of existing vehicles with the aim of contributing to the creation of a sustainable society and the well-being of people throughout the world, improving their quality of life.

The first test run of the battery-powered tram took place in Florence in early 2021, allowing us to lead the way in Italy for this new technology.