An intercity passenger train will be converted to run on battery power for the first time in the UK, Hitachi Rail has announced, cutting diesel use on non-electrified lines by 20 per cent. Hitachi has signed an agreement with Eversholt Rail, owner of the 36 intercity express trains operated by Great Western Railway on the line between London and Penzance, to replace a diesel engine with batteries on one of this fleet.
The line is only partially electrified, with the majority of the 300-mile journey requiring diesel power. The Hitachi-built five-car trains on this route are bi-modes, switching between electric and diesel operation as required. Adding a battery will create an electric-diesel-battery hybrid train (tri-mode). Trials are expected to begin in 2022, to demonstrate that the innovation meets passenger service and safety standards.
On non-electrified sections of the route, the batteries will supplement the power of the engines to reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions by more than 20 per cent.
When travelling in and out of stations and surrounding urban areas, the train would rely on battery power only. This has the benefit of improving air quality and dramatically reducing noise levels, both for passengers and people living nearby.