Denmark to get battery-powered trains from next year
Battery trains are to be trialled on two rail lines in Denmark in 2020.
Minister of Transport Benny Engelbrecht reached agreement with regional authorities in Copenhagen, Zealand and Central Jutland to trial battery-powered trains on two different railway lines.
The deal was announced by the Ministry of Transport and Housing via a press release.
The battery trains are planned to run on the stretch between Helsingør and Hillerød in North Zealand and on the Lemvig line in northern West Jutland from the end of 2020 and at the start of 2021.
Engelbrecht said he sees battery trains as beneficial for the climate and can help solve smaller railways in particular to convert from diesel to electric power.
“Not only can battery trains reduce Denmark's CO2 emissions, they also help create the basis for better transport systems,” the minister said.
“Overall, there is much to indicate that battery trains can be an important part of future rail operation in Denmark,” he added.
Authorities will not invest money on battery trains for the trial, which will give contractors the opportunity to showcase their trains in daily operations.
Battery trains are currently in use in test operations with passengers in Austria and are also being tested in Germany, where orders for the trains have been placed.
“A trial of battery trains in Denmark will provide the relevant parties with useful experience from practical operation before we potentially place an order for battery trains for passenger operation,” Engelbrecht said.
“At the same time, it will give passengers the chance to try battery trains in daily use on the Danish railways. My hope is that we will see battery trains in daily operation in Denmark from the mid-2020s,” he added.
READ ALSO: Denmark targets one-hour rail times between five major cities
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Minister of Transport Benny Engelbrecht reached agreement with regional authorities in Copenhagen, Zealand and Central Jutland to trial battery-powered trains on two different railway lines.
The deal was announced by the Ministry of Transport and Housing via a press release.
The battery trains are planned to run on the stretch between Helsingør and Hillerød in North Zealand and on the Lemvig line in northern West Jutland from the end of 2020 and at the start of 2021.
Engelbrecht said he sees battery trains as beneficial for the climate and can help solve smaller railways in particular to convert from diesel to electric power.
“Not only can battery trains reduce Denmark's CO2 emissions, they also help create the basis for better transport systems,” the minister said.
“Overall, there is much to indicate that battery trains can be an important part of future rail operation in Denmark,” he added.
Authorities will not invest money on battery trains for the trial, which will give contractors the opportunity to showcase their trains in daily operations.
Battery trains are currently in use in test operations with passengers in Austria and are also being tested in Germany, where orders for the trains have been placed.
“A trial of battery trains in Denmark will provide the relevant parties with useful experience from practical operation before we potentially place an order for battery trains for passenger operation,” Engelbrecht said.
“At the same time, it will give passengers the chance to try battery trains in daily use on the Danish railways. My hope is that we will see battery trains in daily operation in Denmark from the mid-2020s,” he added.
READ ALSO: Denmark targets one-hour rail times between five major cities
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