Intercity battery hybrid train starts live network testing in the North of England

The UK’s first intercity electric battery hybrid powered train has begun testing on the national rail network in the North of England. The collaboration between TransPennine Express (TPE), Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail will see the hybrid battery technology put through its paces on routes between York to Manchester Airport and Leeds to Liverpool Lime Street in September and October.

The battery has been successfully retrofitted into one of TransPennine Express’ five-carriage intercity Class 802 Nova 1 train, which will operate in both electric and diesel modes during the trial.

The move to testing on the live network follows low speed tests in purely electric mode on a test track at Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe manufacturing facility.

The national rail network trail will enable a variety of important tests under real world conditions, including the battery’s ability to improve performance on hills, regenerative charging via braking, fuel and emission savings, and operating in zero-emission battery mode in train stations.

The battery, which generates a peak power of more than 700kw, is predicted to reduce emissions and fuel costs by around 30%. It will also demonstrate how battery technology can cut infrastructure costs by reducing the need for overhead wires in tunnel sections and over complex junctions.

Hitachi Rail is investing over £15 million to develop this pioneering technology with its Sunderland based battery powertrain partner Turntide Technologies.

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, added, “Following the success of 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, Hitachi Rail’s 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 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 internationally. 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.