Great Western Railway has set a new world record for the furthest distance travelled by a battery-electric train on a single charge.
As the sector celebrates 200 years of the modern railway, GWR registered 200 miles on a return journey from Reading train care depot by battery-electric train, visiting London Paddington twice and Oxford.
It beat the previous record of 139 miles achieved by Stadler Deutschland in Berlin in 2021, and aims to demonstrate the capability of battery-electric trains as GWR seeks to replace its ageing diesel fleet.
Officials from the Rail Performance Society, an organisation dedicated to recording and studying the performance of railways and railway traction in the UK, were on-board to witness and verify the new world record.
The Class 230 train, number 230001, is the one used for GWR’s successful trial of fast-charge technology on the Greenford branch line over the past year.
The new world record follows the release of a white paper by GWR last month, outlining the findings of the trial, and which proved battery trains could provide a viable and cost-effective alternative to diesel trains.
It comes as the operator prepares plans to renew its ageing regional fleet trains, which are expected to go out of serviceable use in the next 7-10 years.
Rail Performance Society Vice Chair, Nigel Smedley, said:
“We can confirm that, subject to final checks, the Great Western Railway Class 230 train travelled 200 miles on a return journey from Reading Train Care Depot without charging its batteries from any external energy source.”
GWR Engineering Director, Dr Simon Green, said:
“Today’s record attempt has been a bit of fun, but it also underlines a serious point: investment in battery technology is essential as we look to replace our ageing diesel fleet.
“Overhead lines will remain the first choice to power electric trains, but where that isn’t possible or desirable, battery technology like this offers a reliable and efficient alternative to bridge the gap.
“As part of our future rolling stock plans we’ll need battery trains to routinely cover over 60 miles between charges – and today’s achievement provides clear evidence that this is a viable and exciting solution for the future of our railway.”
Network Rail Operations Director, Simon Gillibrand, said:
“We’d like to congratulate GWR on setting this world record – reaching 200 miles during the Railway 200 celebrations is not just a symbolic achievement, but an important breakthrough that highlights the potential of battery-powered trains.
“Rail is already the greenest form of public transport and today’s record-breaking journey shows what an important role new technologies will play in our commitment to a low-emission railway, with a goal of reaching net-zero by 2050.”
Railway 200 programme manager, Emma Roberts, added:
“Many congratulations to everyone involved in this record-breaking run. It’s a special moment in a landmark year for a British invention that has constantly tested the boundaries of possibility.
The railway’s pioneering pedigree and spirit of innovation is clearly alive and kicking, helping to shape the future.”
Image courtesy of GWR
