Siemens Mobility has implemented its new diesel-battery-electric ‘tri-mode’ technology on a slew of rail vehicles in Germany, paving the way for the company’s train technology to make its debut on British soil.
Rolled out on 31 of the company’s Mireo Plus B trains in East Brandenburg, Germany, the introduction follows the recent implementation of the new technology on 27 trains in the Ortenau region, with more units set to arrive in Denmark in 2025.
“It’s fantastic to see the innovative technology that will underpin our British Desiro Verve trains already being put into action. The completion of these latest journeys demonstrates that the technology for our British battery trains is here, is working and is ready to transform rail travel.”
The technology used on the rail vehicles makes use of the same power-processes as the company’s prospective British Desiro Verve project, which would see trains powered by overhead wires on routes with existing electrification infrastructure, switching to battery power when no longer in range.
The process, which Siemens Mobility hopes to save £3.5 billion and 12 million tonnes in CO2 emissions for Britain’s railways over 35 years, enables operators to equip & utilise smaller stretches of track equipped with overhead line equipment (OLE), encouraging the switch to electrification by making it less disruptive to existing diesel-only services.
Siemens Mobility recently announced plans to manufacture the new, battery-powered trains in Goole, Yorkshire.
