Network Rail and Vivarail today announced that Vivarail’s
next-generation battery train will be launched at COP26 and will
run daily services throughout the international climate change
conference.
This zero-emission train uses new batteries, developed by
Vivarail, to combine maximum range with the ability to recharge
quickly. The result is a train that can travel for up to 80 miles
on battery power and recharge in only 10 minutes using Vivarail’s
patented Fast Charge system.
Fast Charge’s development was supported by an Innovate UK grant
and will shortly begin its final stage of Network Rail approvals
– a live trial on the Greenford line starting in early 2022.
At COP26, Vivarail will support the UK Government and wider rail
industry’s ambition to reach Net Zero and carbon reduction
targets by bringing to life this emission-free technology to a
number of audiences, including graduates and global partners.
Inspiring the leaders and innovators of the future is key to
reaching Net Zero and fulfilling the UK’s carbon reduction
targets.
As part of the spirit of collaboration across the rail industry
for COP26, which will be held in Glasgow from November 1,
Vivarail has been helped by SLC Operations, Alstom and VTG with
drivers, electrical charging and transport.
Last year, Network Rail became the
first railway company in the world to commit to the most
stretching science-based targets for reducing carbon. A key
part of the strategy for achieving those targets is decarbonising
traction energy through further overhead line electrification and
using alternative fuels, including battery and hydrogen trains.
A hydrogen-powered train will also feature in a fringe event at
COP26, announced earlier this year by Network Rail and
Porterbrook. This will give guests, including leaders and climate
experts, a first-hand experience of British technological
innovation and expertise, and how alternative fuel trains of the
future will play a vital part in building back better and greener
from the pandemic.
Rail Minister ,
said:
“We are ambitious to make our railways even greener and I am
delighted that Vivarail will launch their flagship battery
train at COP26, thanks to investment from our Accelerating
Innovation programme.
“Decarbonising the rail network is crucial to reaching net-zero
by 2050 and this technology is another example of how we are
building back greener.”
Martin Frobisher OBE, Network Rail’s safety and engineering
director, said:
“I’m delighted that we’re partnering with two thriving British
companies in Vivarail and Porterbrook to showcase the future of
rail in this country to the world at COP26.
“Rail is already the greenest form of public transport, and
battery-powered trains will play an important role in our
commitment to providing an even cleaner, greener railway for
the future.”
Steve McBride, Managing Director of Vivarail, said:
“It is a great honour to be asked to support such an important
event. The achievement of an innovative British company like
Vivarail to build a first in class train is a great example of
our country’s ingenuity and ability to find new technologies
and ways to do things.
“Our R&D team has spent 3 years developing these new
batteries, working with specialists Hoppecke. The result is a
new traction and charging system able to convert diesel stock
or act as range extenders on other types of electric train. We
are now ready to play our part in delivering an electrified
network in the shortest possible time.
“We have already sold our first train to the United States –
with a second on order. As part of the RDC family we have
benefitted from insights and help from the US and Europe, so we
know our products have ready export potential – helping
decarbonise across the world.”
