Battery tracks: the green innovations that could power the railway's next era
13 days ago
- #decarbonization
- #railway
- #battery-trains
- 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the 1955 Modernisation Plan for Britain's rail network, which introduced electrification and diesel to replace steam.
- The Modernisation Plan's legacy persists, with only 40% of the UK rail network electrified, presenting challenges and opportunities for decarbonization.
- Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMUs) are seen as a solution for non-electrified lines, offering a way to modernize fleets and reduce carbon emissions.
- Siemens Mobility's Desiro Verve BEMU uses lithium titanate oxide (LTO) batteries, chosen for their safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness over 35-year train lifespans.
- Adoption of BEMUs could save 12 million tonnes of CO2 and £3.5 billion over 35 years, aiding the UK's 2040 diesel phase-out target.
- Irish Rail is advancing with BEMUs for the DART+ project, using Alstom X’Trapolis trains to expand services before full electrification.
- Great Western Railway tested a fast-charging system for BEMUs, proving viability for remote areas without extensive grid upgrades.
- The UK's gradual transition to battery trains is supported by existing technology, with potential for rapid diesel replacement if orders accelerate.