‘UK-first’ battery train outperforms diesel

From Electrek

A “UK-first” intercity battery trial train proved that single battery technology can outperform diesel engines cost-effectively.

Hitachi Rail, Angel Trains, and TransPennine Express just wrapped up the trial, which took place in the north of England. It proved that powerful batteries offer significant benefits for emissions, fuel savings, and air quality.

Hitachi has already rolled out passenger battery trains in Japan and Europe, like the Masaccio hybrid in Italy. The intercity battery trial train in the UK demonstrated that the 700 kW battery could push the train past 75 mph and power it for over 70 km. The battery matches the weight of a diesel engine and is installed in the same undercarriage space, ensuring no risk of track degradation and no impact on the passenger environment.

The battery trial train delivered better-than-expected results in fuel savings, cutting fuel costs by 35-50%. One key way it achieved this was with an “Eco-mode” where the battery fully powered sections of the route, showing that the technology is more than ready for real-world use.

This success gives Hitachi the green light to move on to a full intercity battery-electric train, with an estimated range of 100-150 km. That would allow significant stretches of non-electrified routes to go battery-powered, avoiding the need for expensive infrastructure like overhead wires in tunnels or stations.

I put this article here because it's interesting, and suggests ways forward to cut emissions from land transport, which, including cars and light trucks, contributes roughly 20% to total greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 and nitrous oxides).  But it's not very clear, and further research didn't help.  For example, the writer talks about a 700 kW battery.  Did they mean 700 kWh, which is the measure of stored power (for example, a typical EV has 50–70 kWh of stored electricity) or what they said, 700 kW, which is a measure of output at any moment?  Also, the article gives the impression that the train was run completely on battery, than says, "“Eco-mode” where the battery fully powered sections of the route".  Does this mean that some parts of the route were not fully powered by the battery, but also used diesel?  Is this new train a hybrid?

Never mind.  The sharp drop in fuel costs (35-50%) shows that not only is the battery technology environmentally better, but it will also save money.  I've talked about bi-mode trains, which are diesel-electric when there is no overhead wire (or third rail) but switch to electric when there is an alternate power source.  Adding batteries to the mix would make these trains even more flexible, and allow them to be integrated into the train network more effectively.  I've also discussed battery-powered trains, here, and here.   I'm also going to be doing a piece on NSW's new bi-mode diesel/electric trains.  Keep an eye out for it.

I can't help thinking that a carbon tax would concentrate minds wonderfully, and we'd see much more rapid progress with battery and bi-mode trains if we had one.