The UK has introduced its first commercially operated passenger train powered exclusively by batteries, an important step towards decarbonizing rail transport. The train, operated by Great Western Railway, is entering regular service after nearly two years of testing and boasts a remarkable performance: a world record range of approximately 323 km on a single charge.
The Class 230 unit, numbered 230001, entered regular service with its 5:30 a.m. departure on the West Ealing – Greenford route, replacing a diesel train on the Greenford branch line.
Its introduction into commercial operation follows a 22-month testing program focused on the use of rapid battery charging technology at stations.
Extensive testing and a world record
During the testing period, the train was evaluated under real operating conditions, including the safety and reliability of the infrastructure required for charging.
During this period, the unit also set a world record for the longest distance traveled by a battery-powered electric train on a single charge: 322.6 km, surpassing the previous record of 223.7 km set in 2021 by Stadler in Germany.
According to GWR, the result provides important validation of the technology’s potential for use on lines where conventional catenary electrification is not possible or economically justified.
Fast charging without continuous electrification
A key element of the project is the discontinuous charging system, which allows the batteries to be charged during stops at stations without the need for electrification of the entire line. The necessary infrastructure, including high-capacity batteries installed at stations, was provided with the support of Network Rail.
“Our tests have shown that battery technology can provide a reliable and efficient alternative to electric traction, particularly on sections where electrification is not feasible,” said Simon Green, GWR’s engineering director.
He pointed out that putting the train into commercial service will allow for the collection of additional data, which will be useful both for the operator’s own plans and for the British rail industry as a whole.
A step towards replacing the diesel fleet
GWR considers battery trains to be an essential component of its future fleet, as the operator seeks to replace its aging diesel rolling stock.
According to current plans, future trains should be able to travel over 96 km between charges, a threshold that tests have shown to be realistic.
The results of the testing program were summarized in a white paper published in July 2025, which analyzes the use of rapid charging at intermediate stations as a solution for operating battery-powered electric trains on non-electrified lines.
Initial runs, followed by gradual expansion
In the initial phase, train 230001 will run only on Saturdays, with GWR gradually expanding the number of runs as performance and reliability data from commercial operation is analyzed.
The operator is working in parallel with the Department for Transport (DfT) and other rail operators to build the financial and operational case for wider use of battery-powered trains.
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