.svg)
The UK is set to introduce its first fully battery-powered, superfast-charging passenger train this weekend on a short route in west London. Great Western Railway (GWR) will operate the converted former London Underground train on the West Ealing–Greenford branch line, starting from 5.30am on Saturday. The service covers a five-mile round trip with four stops, taking around 12 minutes each way, and can carry up to 273 passengers.
The train’s batteries recharge in just three and a half minutes at West Ealing station between journeys, using a 2,000kW charging system. Power is supplied through a short section of rail that only becomes live when the train is correctly positioned above it, ensuring safety.
Government and industry figures hope this innovation could eventually replace diesel trains on routes where installing overhead electrification is too costly or complex, supporting the rail sector’s decarbonisation goals. The train has already demonstrated impressive range, travelling over 200 miles on a single charge and setting a new world record for battery-electric trains last year, surpassing a previous German record from 2021.
Although the technology has been tested on the 2.5-mile branch line since early 2024, this will be the first time the train carries fare-paying passengers. GWR’s engineering director, Simon Green, described the launch as a major milestone, highlighting battery power as a dependable and efficient alternative where overhead wires are impractical. Network Rail’s western route director, Marcus Jones, echoed this view, calling the project a significant step toward a low-emission railway and the UK’s net-zero target by 2050.
While hybrid battery-electric trains already operate in countries such as Japan, and Merseyrail uses battery assistance alongside a third rail, the GWR system relies entirely on batteries. This removes the need for high-voltage third rails, improving public safety and reducing strain on local power networks. With the electrification of the Great Western mainline cut back in 2020 due to high costs, GWR believes this fast-charging battery technology could enable the gradual replacement of diesel trains on longer routes across south-west England.
