An electric breakthrough: GWR breaks its own record for battery-powered travel

The Great Western Railway (GWR) has set a new UK record for the longest journey on a battery-powered electric train. The record-breaking event occurred when a GWR electric train traveled 138 km (86 miles) on a single charge.

This surpassed the previous record of 135 km (84 miles), which belonged to the Stadler Class 777. This is stated in the material of the publication TravelandTourWorld.

This was followed by another impressive achievement with the electric battery. A Class 230 train traveled a distance of 70 miles using only 45% of the battery capacity.

The key to this journey was the partnership formed with Vivarail. The company uses FastCharge technology, an innovative solution designed to power battery-powered electric trains throughout the network.

The acquisition of the intellectual property for FastCharge technology has enabled GWR to implement the necessary infrastructure, such as charging mechanisms and batteries, creating the basis for pioneering trials.

GWR is now focusing on further testing and research to integrate the technology into its network. This includes checking compatibility and examining the maintenance needs of electric trains.

During the upcoming test, Greenford lines will use FastCharge technology, which allows for a fast battery charge in just 3.5 minutes, demonstrating the practical application of this technology in real-world conditions.

It is emphasized that GWR's successful integration of battery electric trains heralds a new era of rail travel. This initiative is evidence that rail travel can make a significant contribution to the UK's sustainable development goals, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future of transportation.

Earlier, the UK honored the memory of the famous inventor Richard Trevithick. As TravelWise reported, in 1804, the first steam locomotive route was made.