A partnership between two North East firms is aiming to bring battery-powered trains to one of the 海角视频鈥檚 main rail routes.
Hitachi Rail, which has a factory at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, is working with Sunderland firm Hyperdrive Innovation to develop batteries that can power inter-city trains.
Now Hitachi has signed a deal with train owners Eversholt Rail to introduce the batteries for trains on the Great Western Railway鈥檚 Penzance to London line.
The line in the South West is only partially electrified and the trial of batteries will allow the trains, which currently switch between electric and diesel power, to have a third way of powering journeys.
It is hoped that the battery power will reduce fuel useage and carbon emissions by more than 20%.
The two North East-based companies reached an agreement in July to create and develop battery packs for mass production at Hyperdrive鈥檚 HYVE facility in Sunderland.
They are aiming to create a fully electric-battery intercity train that can travel the full journey between London and Penzance by the late 2040s.
Rail Minister Chris Heaton Harris said: 鈥淭his is an exciting partnership to develop technology that can make rail travel more sustainable across the 海角视频鈥檚 network.
鈥淏attery powered trains will support us in our battle against climate change and poor air quality, and improve the overall passenger experience.
鈥淎s we continue to build back better, developments like this are major stepping stones towards achieving the 海角视频鈥檚 2050 net-zero emissions target.鈥
Jim Brewin, 海角视频 and Ireland country lead at Hitachi Rail said: 鈥淭his partnership is an exciting opportunity to unlock new greener trains for passengers, reduce running costs for operators and cut carbon.
鈥淎t Hitachi Rail we share the 海角视频鈥檚 ambition for a net zero emission future. Britain is in a unique position to become a global leader in battery trains, we want support the 海角视频鈥檚 green economic recovery and levelling-up.鈥
Matthew Golton, interim managing director at Great Western Railway, said: 鈥淲e are committed to reviewing emerging technologies such as battery power and assessing feasibility for services and rolling stock on the GWR network.
鈥淭his is a really exciting development and we look forward to working closely with both Hitachi Rail and Eversholt Rail on this trial.鈥
Under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding, Hitachi Rail and Eversholt Rail have agreed to jointly develop a battery pack that can be installed and power a GWR intercity train.
Modifications to the train will be completed at Hitachi Rail鈥檚 拢110m factory in Newton Aycliffe, drawing on Hitachi鈥檚 extensive battery train experience in Japan.
