GWR brings battery-only rail services a step closer with fast-charging trial

Credit: GWR

Great Western Railway has signed a deal with Vivarail to trial new battery-charging technology on its network, paving the way for battery-only trains to run in regular passenger service in the future. The trial, supported by Network Rail, will take place on the Greenford branch line later this year and test Vivarail’s trackside fast-charging equipment in an operational setting for the first time.

“This is a really exciting development and underlines our commitment to reduce the carbon emissions of our train fleet with a view to removing all diesel-only traction from the network by 2040,” Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of GWR, said. “We are looking forward to working with our rail industry colleagues over the coming months to be able to rigorously test this battery train and charger on the Greenford branch line.”  

It is hoped that the project will demonstrate that the equipment works safely and reliably in a real-world environment. The use of batteries for extended operation has typically been constrained by their range and meant widespread implementation has, until now, not been feasible. Fast Charge equipment will be installed at West Ealing Station and tested with Vivarail’s battery-only Class 230 train, first showcased at COP26 last year.

“We are world leaders in developing cutting edge green technology and this new zero-emission train supports our ambitious plan to move towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Wendy Morton, Rail Minister, said. “We are making the railways the backbone of a cleaner, more environmentally-friendly and modern public transport network.”

The train has a range of up to 62 miles on battery power, recharging in only 10 minutes using the Fast Charge system in off-network tests. When the train arrives at a station it connects automatically to the Fast Charge and the batteries receive charge while the train is prepared for its next journey. The train was launched at COP26 and ran daily services throughout the international climate change conference in Glasgow, including an iconic trip across the Forth Bridge.

“We are really excited for this new battery-powered trial to start, it highlights our commitment to providing a more environmentally-friendly way to travel,” Michelle Handforth, Regional Managing Director for Network Rail Wales and Western, said. “It builds on the success of electrification of the Great Western Mainline which has hugely reduced the number of journeys being made in diesel-only traction. We are now looking forward to the challenge of getting the Greenford branch line ready for this new trial, which is another significant step forward for rail travel.”

Testing on the Greenford branch line supports the Government and wider rail industry’s ambition to move towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The trial is supported by £2.15 million funding from the Department for Transport’s Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline (RNEP). Development of the Fast Charge technology also received funding from Innovate UK.

“The Greenford to West Ealing line will now lead the UK in bringing in new, emission-free battery electric trains combined with our world-leading charging system,” Steve McBride, Managing Director of Vivarail said. “Battery technology has been identified as a key part of the network’s solution to reach Net Zero and it is the ability of our charging system that provides the key to replacing diesel trains.