The UK’s first intercity battery train has greatly surpassed expectations during its trial phase which is a collaboration between TransPennine Express (TPE), Hitachi Rail and Angel Trains.
A total of £15 million was invested by Hitachi Rail to develop this pioneering technology in partnership with Turntide Technologies in Sunderland.
The battery train was shown to greatly reduce fuel costs and increase savings of between 35 and 50% which far exceeded predictions of savings amounting to only 30%.
Transpennine network trial includes a powerful 700kw battery technology met with just one battery managing to power the train to speeds greater than 75mph.
The battery-operated train was also found to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution.
This battery is the same weight of a diesel engine which is installed in the same undercarriage space and was able to achieve all journey times and performance requirements, while also meeting operators timetable requirements.
The Transpiennine network is set to cover routes between Manchester Airport and York and Liverpool Lime Street to Leeds.
According to Hitachi Rail, test journeys on the Transpennine network, which took two months, met all time and performance requirements.
Adding to impressive attributes, one single battery was found to store enough electricity to help power more than 75 houses for a day and ensures no risk of track degradation and impact on the passenger environment when installed into a train.
Chief director of UK and Ireland at Hitachi Rail, Jim Brewin, said: “Everyone should be immensely proud of creating battery technology that had zero failures during the entire trial.”
He added: “Using our global expertise, Hitachi Rail has created new technology which means the greenest mode of transport, just got greener.”
When a single battery was in “eco-mode” major savings for fuel was noted with one seeing a train operate in battery mode for 43.4 miles.
The battery-operated trains will be one of many initiatives as Hitachi Rail invested £17m in the north east of England and once operational will be a monumental step towards reducing CO2 emissions in the UK rail industry.
A joint project was also announced in September with a group of clean technology specialists worth £1.4 million to help develop the “next generation” of battery train technologies.
“Investing £17m in new clean technology, we are ready to deliver both new or retrofitted battery intercity fleets,” explained Brewin.
“Not only will this provide cheaper, greener and reliable railway journeys, but it will also create a new advanced manufacturing opportunity to support the North East’s Industrial Strategy.”
Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy added: “”Rail is already the most environmentally friendly form of public transport, and the success of this trial will pave the way for even greener, more reliable journeys for millions of passengers.
“This technology will play a vital role as we deliver our ambitious plans to transform and decarbonise the railways, and it could open the door to a more affordable expansion of the network for communities across the country.”