Hitachi achieves headway with first UK intercity battery train trial

Hitachi Rail has announced the successful completion of what the company maintains is the UK’s first intercity battery trial. One 700 kW battery was able to power a train to speeds greater than 75mph, showing the technology is sufficient to enable trains to enter, alight, and exit stations solely in zero-emission battery-mode.

Zero-emission battery-mode train travel has fewer damaging effects on the environment compared to diesel engines, which cause air and noise pollution.

During trials, the battery powered the train for a mile before and after stations, then switching to a diesel mode. A train was also recorded operating solely in battery mode for 70km, more than sufficient distance to cover bridges, tunnels, and stations.

The battery weighs the same as a diesel engine and can be installed in the same place in the undercarriage. According to Jim Brewin, Hitachi Rail’s chief director of UK & Ireland, the trial had “zero failures”.

On fuel cost savings, the trial was more successful than battery maker Hitachi Rail had initially anticipated. It recorded fuel costs savings between 35 to 50% – surpassing original predictions of up to 30%.

Following the success of the trial, Hitachi Rail plans to double down on its support for the UK battery industry. It plans to use its battery technology in other trains and large vehicles globally, creating a UK battery export opportunity. It will also aid the UK government in planning its industrial strategy around batteries.

“Investing £17 million in new clean technology, we are ready to deliver both new or retrofitted battery intercity fleets,” said Brewin.

The company will collaborate with researchers at Innovate UK and the University of Birmingham to develop next-generation battery technology and determine the next steps for its train batteries for the transport sector. It is in the process of liaising with the UK government and other rail industry stakeholders to advance to the next stage of delivering a full intercity battery-electric train.

Based on real-world data, such a train would have a range between 100-150km. These ranges can cover significant sections of non-electrified routes, eliminating the need for wires in tunnels or stations. It could potentially save hundreds of millions of pounds on electrification projects.

Hitachi Rail is the London-based subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Hitachi Global. It has already implemented a passenger battery train in Japan, which it claims is the world’s first. In 2022, the company debuted a battery hybrid train in Italy, the Masaccio, which has cut CO2 emissions by 50% compared to the diesel trains it replaced. Hitachi has since launched an intercity version, and it is eyeing other European locations to replicate its Italian offering.

The UK trial took place over two months on the Transpennine network, which includes York to Manchester Airport and Leeds to Liverpool Lime Street.