The UK’s pioneering intercity battery train began testing on the national rail network earlier this week. This key milestone will see the battery technology trialled on routes between York to Manchester Airport and Leeds to Liverpool Lime Street over the next eight weeks.
The train will be easily recognisable with the distinct new livery which celebrates the collaboration between TransPennine Express (TPE), Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail.
A variety of important tests will take place, including the battery’s ability to improve performance on hills, regenerative charging via braking, fuel and emission savings, and zero-emission battery mode in train stations.
Rail network testing is taking place after the battery train successfully completed low speed tests on the test track at Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe manufacturing facility. During these tests the train was propelled entirely by the battery, producing zero tailpipe emissions.
This is the first UK trial where a diesel engine is replaced with a battery on an intercity train. The battery has been successfully retrofitted onto one of TPE’s ‘Nova 1’ trains (five-carriage intercity Class 802).
The battery, which generates a peak power of more than 700kw, is predicted to reduce emissions and fuel costs by as much as 30% on a Hitachi intercity train. It will also demonstrate how battery technology can reduce costs in the railways by reducing the need for overhead wires in tunnel sections and over complex junctions.
The trial also aims to support the UK battery sector and green growth, with Hitachi Rail investing over £15 million to develop this pioneering technology with Turntide Technologies in Sunderland.
Paul Staples, Engineering, Safety and Sustainability Director at TransPennine Express, said: “This trial is a huge step towards the rail industry in the UK – and around the world reducing CO2 emissions and we are excited to be part of it.
“TPE is dedicated to making our journeys greener by reducing our carbon footprint, creating resilience to climate change and improving local air quality.”
Matthew Prosser, Asset Management Director at Angel Trains, said: “Following the success of one of our Class 802 trains running entirely in battery-mode at Newton Aycliffe, we’re excited to see how this technology performs on the national rail network. This project represents a multimillion-pound joint investment by Angel Trains and Hitachi in one of our newest fleets. It will both support and draw upon the skilled jobs and expertise at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe facility and enable us to demonstrate how battery retrofit technology can help us decarbonise our railways.”
Paul Newlove, Head of Green Technologies Programme said: “After seeing the train running entirely in battery-mode at Newton Aycliffe, I can’t wait to see how this technology can reduce emissions, reduce fuel costs and improve air quality on the Transpennine route.
“This part of the trial is going to be really exciting because we start to prove the benefits of this green technology for passengers, operators and policy makers.
“It has been such a team effort, with colleagues in Japan, Italy and UK working together for years to finally reach this important stage.”
This important project draws upon Hitachi’s global expertise which includes delivering the world’s first passenger battery train in Japan, and rolling out the Masaccio, Europe’s first battery hybrid train in Italy in 2022. The evolution of the technology continues at pace with Hitachi Rail recently unveiling its new intercity version of the train, and with a target to roll out a EuroMasaccio in additional European markets, including Germany from 2026.
The development of this battery is an important step for the rail industry both home and abroad. Hitachi Rail has an ambition to install this battery on trains around the world, potentially creating a UK export and improving energy efficiency.
There are thousands of trains running across the world that are powered by diesel engines, which will need to be decarbonised to meet net zero targets. In Italy, the Masaccio has instantly cut CO2 emissions by 50% compared to the diesel trains it has replaced. The ability to replace diesel engines with a powerful battery, and unlock cheaper partial electrification, can create a low-cost pathway to decarbonise railways around the world.
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