Deutsche Bahn (DB) has fitted its long-distance ICE train depot in Leipzig with a new energy system that combines solar panels with old electric car batteries.
This is the first time DB has used this kind of battery storage at one of its ICE depots.
The battery system uses 30 modules taken from eight used electric cars. These batteries can no longer power cars but are still useful for storing energy. They are thus helping store electricity made by solar panels installed on the depot’s buildings.
The solar panels can generate up to 291 kilowatts of power, enough to cover about a quarter of the depot’s energy needs. When more energy is needed—such as when trains are tested or heavy equipment is used—the battery storage helps avoid drawing too much power from the grid at once. This helps lower electricity costs and avoids high peak charges.
DB says the new system could save around 85,000 EUR a year in energy costs at the Leipzig site.
This system was developed by encore | DB, a small company within DB that finds new uses for old technology. The batteries are tested and rebuilt for their new purpose, and the system can be expanded in the future if needed.
This project is part of DB’s wider plan to make its operations more sustainable and efficient. The Leipzig depot services ICE T and Intercity 2 trains and has around 275 staff, including 25 trainees.
Katrin Habenschaden, Head of Sustainability and Environment at Deutsche Bahn AG said:Deutsche Bahn will become climate-neutral by 2040. By modernising the energy supply at the Leipzig ICE depot, we are demonstrating concretely how we combine sustainability and cost-effectiveness: We store the solar-generated electricity in a battery storage system made from used electric car batteries and use it especially when energy demand at the depot is particularly high or the sun isn't shining. In this way, we are not only further advancing the energy transition at DB, but are also making ourselves more economical as part of the Group's S3 restructuring programme,
Since early 2025, all DB buildings and stations in Germany have been powered by green electricity. The electricity used for trains already comes from around 70% renewable sources, with plans to reach 100% by 2038.
Next, DB plans to install a similar battery system at its depot in Kassel and may roll out more across the country.
