First Czech battery trains to be exported abroad. Škoda to supply up to 36 trains to Slovakia
Škoda Group, in consortium with ŽOS Trnava and Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK), has signed a framework contract for the delivery of up to 36 battery-powered two-car electric trains (BEMU) with a total value of almost EUR 332 million.
www.skoda.cz
The Slovak carrier plans to purchase the first 16 units next year, with an option to extend deliveries by a further 20 units. The new zero-emission trains will modernise Slovak regional rail transport, replace some of the diesel trains on non-electrified lines and offer passengers comfortable travel without the need to change between electrified and non-electrified sections. The deployment of the new trains will reduce annual CO₂ emissions by up to hundreds of millions of kilograms compared to current operations. Part of the train production will be carried out in Slovakia through the consortium partner ŽOS Trnava.
“We see battery trains as a fast and realistic path to zero-emission regional transport in Slovakia. They combine the advantages of classic electric units with operation on non-electrified lines, without the need for high investments in infrastructure. We are delighted to become a technology partner of Slovak Railways in this fundamental step towards modern and sustainable mobility. Our experience with battery trains shows that passengers appreciate their deployment, with passenger numbers on these lines increasing by up to tens of percent,” says Tomáš Ignačák, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Škoda Group.
Škoda battery electric units will be among the most modern vehicles in the ZSSK fleet and will also contribute to better working conditions for the carrier’s employees. “It is a great honour for me that ZSSK is a pioneer in public rail transport using alternative propulsion systems. We will be the first in Slovakia to offer passengers zero-emission electric battery trains. These 16 trains will help replace outdated motor vehicles, as they can operate on both electrified and non-electrified tracks. This project fits in with the vision of a modern and sustainable railway that brings greater comfort to passengers and better technical and working conditions for our employees,” adds Ivana Piňosová, CEO of ZSSK.
The importance of the project is also underlined by funding from European funds, which makes it possible to accelerate the modernisation of rail transport and at the same time make effective use of available European resources. “Funding from European funds for battery electric units is an important milestone on the road to modern and environmentally friendly rail transport in Slovakia. This is a project that combines innovative technologies with sustainable mobility while making effective use of European resources. I believe that the new battery units will bring greater comfort to passengers, reduce emissions and help develop public transport in regions where there is no electrified infrastructure,” says Denisa Žiláková, State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic.
Speed up to 120 km/h in battery mode
The new battery units are based on the proven design of Panter electric trains, which are supplemented with a traction battery system. The trains will run at speeds of up to 160 km/h when powered by overhead lines and up to 120 km/h in pure battery mode. The traction batteries will ensure a range of at least 80 kilometres on non-electrified sections, which will cover most regional services where diesel trains currently operate. The batteries will be recharged both during operation from the overhead line and at charging points. On non-electrified sections, it will be possible to recover energy from braking back into the batteries.
The trains will be designed as integrated two-car units for 157 seated passengers, equipped with the European ETCS Level 2 safety system. The interior will offer air conditioning in the saloon and driver’s cab, on-board
Wi-Fi, 230 V sockets with USB ports for powering small electronic devices, low-floor access for comfortable boarding by persons with reduced mobility, parents with prams or cyclists, and modern information systems. Thanks to their quiet and smooth operation, the trains will be significantly more environmentally friendly and less disruptive to residents living along the tracks.
Environmental savings
Thanks to the battery units, the Slovak national carrier will be able to gradually reduce the use of diesel trains on selected regional lines. The combination of traction line power and batteries, which are activated in sections without overhead lines, will bring significant emissions savings – up to millions of kilograms of pollutants and tens to hundreds of millions of kilograms of CO2 per year compared to current diesel operations. Slovakia has approximately 3,630 kilometres of railway lines, but only 1,585 kilometres are electrified, so battery units will become an effective way to quickly increase the share of zero-emission transport on these routes as well.
www.skodagroup.com
