Great Western Railway (GWR) has officially set a new record-breaking journey for the longest distance ever travelled by a battery-electric train on a single charge.
On 20 August 2025, one of its Class 230 battery-electric multiple units successfully covered 320 kilometres (approximately 200 miles) without recharging — a remarkable achievement in the ongoing development of sustainable rail technology.
The world record follows the release of a White Paper published by GWR in July highlighting that fast-charge battery train technology works and will help GWR to look more confidently at a future without diesel, providing alternative options that are cheaper to deliver while achieving the common goal of a cleaner, greener railway.
The record-breaking journey was timed to coincide with Railway 200, a nationwide celebration marking 200 years since the birth of modern railways in the UK. GWR stated that this feat not only demonstrated the capability of battery-powered trains but also broke the previous world record of 223.7 km, set in Germany by a Stadler Flirt Akku in 2021.
The train used in the trial was a converted 1982 London Underground District Line train, retrofitted with modern battery-electric systems. It departed from the Reading Train Care Depot, travelled via London Paddington, then on to Oxford, returned to Paddington, and ultimately finished the loop back in Reading. The entire route was completed on a single battery charge, showcasing the impressive range and energy efficiency of the system under real-world operating conditions.
This was not GWR’s first success with battery-electric innovation. Back in February 2024, the company had already drawn attention for its fast-charge battery train trial, during which a similar Class 230 train completed a 138 km trip on battery power alone — also without needing to recharge. That earlier test, running from Long Marston to Reading, consumed just 45% of the battery’s capacity, hinting at the potential for far longer journeys — a prediction which has now been proven correct.
Before these trials, the UK’s record for battery train distance was held by a Class 777 train built by Stadler, which covered 135 km during testing in 2022. GWR’s successful 320 km run has now not only surpassed the domestic benchmark but also placed the UK at the forefront of battery train performance globally.
This achievement represents a significant leap forward in the rail industry’s efforts to decarbonise non-electrified routes, reduce diesel reliance, and explore practical alternatives to traditional propulsion. As interest in clean, quiet, and energy-efficient transport grows, GWR’s demonstration of long-range battery capabilities may play a pivotal role in shaping the future of regional and rural rail services across the UK and beyond.
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