Alstom, in collaboration with Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen (VMS), the public transport association of Central Saxony, has just introduced a novel electric train powered by batteries. This train is scheduled to commence operations on the Chemnitz-Leipzig route in the German region by the year 2024.
The rolling stock manufacturer of French origin has announced its commitment to providing a total of 11 Coradia Continental battery-electric trains to VMS. The novel battery design is derived from the widely utilized EMU Coradia trainsets.
As per Alstom, the manufacturer of the battery-operated trains, the Coradia locomotives would possess a 120km range and possess the capability to alternate their power supply while transitioning from catenary systems to non-electrified tracks.
The locomotives are configured in their battery condition to operate at a maximum velocity of 160 kilometers per hour, thereby guaranteeing optimal passenger comfort and efficient travel experiences.
Müslüm Yakisan, the president of Alstom in the DACH region, highlighted the company’s transition away from catenary-powered rail operations. He expressed Alstom’s aspiration to become the foremost global provider of sustainable mobility solutions, aiming to minimize emissions and pollutants through catenary-free operations. The unveiling of the inaugural battery-powered train developed by Alstom represents a significant advancement in this particular trajectory.
This collaboration serves as an additional manifestation of the shift towards sustainable transportation, which is in accordance with Alstom’s strategic objective of mitigating pollution on non-electrified railway routes.
According to Mathias Korda, the managing director of VMS, the agreement signifies the commencement of a novel era for passenger rail. Korda expressed the intention to embark on the future of regional rail transportation for passengers by utilizing Alstom’s battery-powered trains.
The implementation of electric propulsion on a significant rail line within the transport association, which currently lacks electrification, will enable us to operate using electrical power.
The ability to travel in a clean, ecologically friendly, and comfortable manner between Chemnitz and Leipzig may be attributed to the collaborative efforts of a regional transport association and the utilization of new technology developed by Alstom.
This news is a continuation of Alstom’s prior endeavors to offer environmentally friendly and cutting-edge rail solutions throughout Germany, shown by the introduction of the hydrogen-powered Coradia iLint trains throughout the country.
As stated in earlier reports, the iLint trains, manufactured for Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG), possess a maximum operating distance of 1,000km, enabling them to sustain continuous operation throughout the day with a single hydrogen tank.