Czech Railways and Škoda Group have unveiled the first RegioPanter train equipped with battery technology.
The model was presented at the Rail Business Days trade fair in Ostrava, Czech Republic. It is equipped with three battery packs, mounted on the roof, to enable zero-emission operation on non-electrified sections of line.
“Electric units equipped with batteries offer comfort to passengers by eliminating the need to change trains where part of the railway network is electrified and part is not. They are an ecological substitute for diesel trains. They help to improve air quality and thus meet the climate targets set by society. We have always been committed to the development of emission-free solutions at Škoda, and this area remains a priority for us.”
The battery-powered RegioPanter can travel under its own power for up to 80 kilometres at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour.
The batteries are replenished through traction or energy recovery during braking to enhance efficiency.
“RegioPanters are already improving the quality of travel on our regional lines. But their development is ongoing, and I am delighted that today we have introduced a new unit complete with traction batteries. These trains will be deployed for the first time ever on the line Ostrava - Studénka - Veřovice and will allow people to travel without changing trains in Studénka, arriving by electric unit even on a non-fully electrified line. This is a way to greater passenger comfort and transport with less environmental impact.”
This unit is one of four battery-powered trains that will complete passenger operations in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic from December 2024.
The vehicles are also equipped with a state-of-the-art CCTV system, ETCS signalling system and an automatic train operation (ATO) system.
“Railway is the most environmentally friendly form of transport and the RegioPanters, equipped with batteries, take it one step further. Czech Railways will be the first carrier in the Czech Republic to put four trains with battery cells into service this December. They will be followed by the delivery of fifteen fully battery-powered trains. The advantage of these units is that they can be deployed on lines that are only partially electrified. Thanks to this, passengers will not have to change between electric and diesel trains.”
