Vivarail and Arcola Energy agreed to develop a hydrogen/battery hybrid train to help de-carbonise the UK’s transport system.
The concept train will consist of two carriages, one housing two battery modules and one with fuel cell and tanks, all will be underneath the train to take advantage of Vivarail’s unique modular power pack design. The Class 230 trains are designed to accept different power sources, Vivarail is currently building a fleet of diesel/battery hybrids for Transport for Wales which will share an almost identical design to the hydrogen train.
The concept train will be used to demonstrate the system capability and test performance. Vivarail’s production hydrogen trains will consist of 4-cars, with 2 battery driving motor cars and 2 intermediate cars housing the fuel cell and tanks.
The proof of concept train is likely to begin testing at Vivarail’s main manufacturing facility in late 2019/early 2020 and will be based on the technology already developed for unit 230002, Vivarail’s battery train.
Vivarail has already designed and run an emission-free battery train whilst Arcola lead the market in supplying power systems for efficient fuel cell electric vehicles, primarily buses, to the UK.
Arcola has a 10-year track-record in fuel cell R&D and system engineering and has an unrivalled global network of suppliers as well as extensive experience in developing zero-emission commercial vehicles.
Arcola’s knowledge of fuel cell technology and Vivarail’s expertise in designing novel green traction solutions give the partnership an edge in bringing next generation hydrogen trains to the UK.
Share on:
