UK: The upgraded Class 230 train has begun passenger operations on the 4-km Greenfield–West Ealing line in west London. Charging takes place at the terminal station in just 3.5 minutes. It is noted that this time is sufficient for the train to operate to the standard daily schedule.
The launch followed nearly two years of testing of both the rolling stock itself and the FastCharge rapid charging system. During the trials, the train set a world distance record, covering 320 km on a single battery charge.
Battery-only class 230 train in the UK. Source: Diamond Geezer Blog
The three-car Class 230 set is a deep modernisation of London Underground D78 stock built by British MCCW (part of Alstom since 1989) between 1978 and 1981. The train received six lithium-ion traction batteries from German manufacturer Hoppecke with a capacity of 84 kWh each. The modernisation was carried out by Vivarail, part of whose assets were acquired by passenger operator GWR following its bankruptcy at the end of 2022.
In GWR’s view, this technology could in future enable the withdrawal of diesel trains from more than 80 UK lines with a total length of over 3,000 km. That said, Vivarail’s hybrid project had demonstrated reliability risks in the US.
