UK railways marked a technological leap as Hitachi Rail‘s intercity battery train completed trials in northern England, achieving fuel savings of 35-50% – surpassing initial 30% projections. The 700kW battery system powered trains to speeds over 75mph (120 km/h) while maintaining scheduled journey times. The battery unit, matching a diesel engine’s weight and fitting in the same undercarriage space, powered the train for 70 km on battery mode alone. This range proved sufficient for bridges, tunnels, and station approaches – a practical solution for non-electrified sections of track. TPE’s Nova 1 trains, retrofitted with the battery system, demonstrated reliable performance … Continue reading UK’s First Intercity Battery Train Trial Achieves 50% Fuel Savings and 70km Battery Range, Marking a New Era in Clean Rail Travel