Czech Republic: The manufacturer intends to start testing a two-car train with traction from batteries and catenary. As part of the test run, the train must cover about 80 km on a single battery charge and accelerate to 120 km/h.
According to Skoda Transportation, the hybrid multiple unit is being developed specifically for the Central European market. The company tried to choose the best option for the price and the battery charge capacity in order to provide the traction from AC/DC catenary and Li-Ion batteries that are charged from pantographs and regenerative braking energy. It is also stated that converters based on silicon carbide are used in the traction system.
The new train is based on the traditional Skoda 7Ev single-deck train platform, which has been produced since 2011. It is stated that the trains can operate both in a two-car composition, and in a coupling with old cars.
Skoda Transportation emphasises that it is investing millions of krones in the development of battery traction for various types of rolling stock. Back in 2014, the manufacturer developed a ForCity Classic hybrid tram equipped with batteries with a range of 3 km for Konya in Turkey. Skoda Transportation also produces trolleybuses and electric buses equipped with batteries.
In the summer of 2020, SCI Verkehr forecasted that by 2024 the supply of multiple unit trains powered by alternative energy sources (batteries, hydrogen, etc.) could reach €1 bln, and its share in the total MU supply structure would be 7%. SCI Verkehr named EU countries (Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, etc.), Australia and China as the main regions of demand growth.
