Vivarail and Arcola to develop hydrogen/battery hybrid train. Credit: Timothy Neesam.

Vivarail has entered a collaboration with hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer Arcola Energy to develop emission-free trains for the UK.

The collaboration will leverage Arcola’s expertise in fuel cell technology and Vivarail’s capabilities in designing green traction solutions to develop a hydrogen/battery hybrid train.

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The proof of concept train will be based on the technology used to build Vivarail’s Class 230 battery trains.

It will comprise two carriages with one equipped with two battery modules and the other with fuel cell and tanks.

“We are both energetic and fast-moving organisations and believe that zero-emission trains are possible today.”

Production trains will feature four cars, including two battery driving motor cars and two intermediate cars with the fuel cell and tanks.

Vivarail CEO Adrian Shooter said: “We are both energetic and fast-moving organisations and believe that zero-emission trains are possible today and will be vital in helping the UK meet its carbon reduction targets.

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“I look forward to seeing new clean, green trains on the network in the near future.”

The train is expected to commence testing at Vivarail’s main manufacturing facility late this year or early 2020. It will be used to assess system capability and performance.

Arcola Energy CEO Ben Todd said: “The proof of concept train is a great opportunity to see our technology, already proven in road transport, make the transfer to rail to help accelerate the adoption of zero-emissions and low carbon trains.”

In March, Vivarail completed demonstrations of fast charging system for Class 230 battery trains. The introduction of this charging system is expected to increase the range of the battery-powered trains.