Great Western Railway's 36 Intercity Express Trains are to have batteries installed to create an electric-diesel-battery hybrid train (tri-mode). On non-electrified sections of the route (between Newbury and Penzance), the train makers Hitachi claim the batteries will supplement the power of the engines to reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions by more than 20%. Whereas when travelling in and out of stations and surrounding urban areas, the train would rely on battery power only. This has the benefit of improving air quality and dramatically reduce noise levels, creating a more pleasant environment for passengers and people living nearby.
GWR’s Intercity Express Train fleet currently calls at 15 non-electrified stations on its journey between Penzance and London, all of which could benefit from trains running on battery-only power. Hitachi Rail will work with its battery partner – Hyperdrive Innovation based in Sunderland - to deliver the project which aims to create a fully electric-battery intercity train – that can travel the full journey between London and Penzance – by the late 2040s, in line with the UK’s 2050 net zero emissions target.
The Rail Minister, Chris Heaton Harris, says “ Battery powered trains will support us in our battle against climate change and poor air quality, and improve the overall passenger experience. As we continue to build back better, developments like this are major stepping stones towards achieving the UK’s 2050 net-zero emissions target.”
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