Alstom presented its battery-powered train in a technical demonstration journey starting in Chemnitz, Germany, according to the company's press release.

The project began in 2016 as a research partnership with the Technical University of Berlin. It covers the development, approval, and operation of the battery-powered passenger trains.

“Alstom has the clear goal of becoming the international leader in alternative drive technologies for rail travel. Alongside our hydrogen train, this state-of-the-art battery-powered drive concept represents another milestone for the market launch of emission-free regional trains in Germany and worldwide,” said Müslüm Yakisan, president of Alstom in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The battery-powered train was developed in cooperation with DB Regio, the German National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology, and the Technical University of Berlin.

The project is funded by The German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI).

The Department of Railway Operations and Infrastructure with the Department of Product Development Methods and Mechatronics conducted studies that have revealed a large proportion of the lines currently operated with diesel vehicles include non-electrified sections of well under 60 miles.

“Our studies have clearly shown that in local rail passenger transport, battery-powered electric vehicles have the potential to successfully replace diesel vehicles,” said Dr. Harald Neuhaus, Managing Director of Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen GmbH. “Our considerations have always taken the overall system into account. Aspects covering the vehicle, operation and infrastructure were analyzed under various operating conditions in order to obtain reliable results.”

Alstom develops mobility solutions to provide sustainable foundations in transportation.