Road transportation is responsible for roughly 12% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. This makes it the third-largest source of emissions, after power generation and industry. More specifically, around 70% of transport-related emissions come from road vehicles.
Battery-electric trains offer a promising solution to reduce pollution from road transportation by providing a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable alternative – particularly for regional and commuter services where full electrification with overhead lines or third rails is not feasible or cost-effective. They offer the following advantages:
Zero operational emissions
- Battery-electric trains produce no tailpipe emissions (CO2, NOx, particulate matter etc.) during operation, directly addressing the air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil-fuel-based trains.
- This significantly improves air quality, especially in urban areas and enclosed environments like tunnels and stations.
Reduced dependence on fossil fuels
- Being operated on electricity stored in rechargeable batteries, battery-electric trains decrease dependence on fossil-fuels – especially for countries that import petroleum, these trains can foster greater energy independence.
Greater energy efficiency
- Electric trains, including battery-electric ones, are notably more energy-efficient than fossil-fuel-based locomotives, converting a greater portion of energy into motion.
- They can also incorporate regenerative braking, recovering energy during deceleration and feeding it back into the batteries or the grid.
Operational flexibility
- Battery-electric trains can operate seamlessly on both electrified and non-electrified routes, offering a flexible solution for expanding rail services to areas where installing overhead lines is challenging or economically unfeasible.
- This flexibility can help connect more communities to clean rail transport without massive infrastructure overhauls.
Potential for integration with renewable energy
- The environmental benefits of battery-electric trains are further amplified when the electricity used to charge them is sourced from renewables like solar or wind power.
- Some metro systems; like Hyderabad Metro in our country, which utilises solar power for a portion of its operations; are already incorporating solar power to meet operational needs.
Noise reduction
Battery-electric trains operate much more quietly than diesel locomotives, which can significantly reduce noise pollution in urban areas and residential communities near railway tracks.
How is its market growth in 2025?
The concept of battery-electric trains being relatively recent, it is difficult to estimate its current market growth rate, however, reports indicate that the global market for battery-electric trains is experiencing significant growth in 2025.
Countries including Japan, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Austria, Australia, Croatia and Latvia are already using battery-electric trains – whereas
many other nations are also planning to introduce such trains.
One of the significant advantages of battery-electric trains is their ability to operate on both electrified and non-electrified lines, effectively eliminating the need for extensive and costly railway electrification infrastructure on non-electrified routes. Beside environmental factors, this advantage will continue to boost the deployment of battery-electric trains.
Two recent developments in this field
A milestone for mobility transition in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW, Western Germany)
The new, low-emission Mireo Smart Plus B battery trains for Regiobahn were officially presented on July 17, 2025, at Siemens Mobility’s test center in Wegberg-Wildenrath. With their upcoming deployment on the RE 47 line between Remscheid-Lennep and Düsseldorf Central Station from summer 2026, Regiobahn is setting a strong example for climate-neutral mobility. The three innovative, two-car battery trains from Siemens Mobility represent a sustainable future for regional mobility and bring NRW a decisive step closer to the desired transport transition.
Photo Courtesy: Siemens
Through collaboration with Smart Train Lease (a subsidiary of Siemens Mobility), a specialist in rail vehicle solutions, the procurement could be realised quickly and efficiently. Commenting on the delivery, Benjamin Dobernecker, CEO of Smart Train Lease GmbH, said, “The state-of-the-art standardised Mireo Smart trains from Siemens Mobility are an important milestone for climate-friendly rail transport in North Rhine-Westphalia. Thanks to the intelligent vehicle platform, we can provide these particularly powerful and comfortable battery trains in record time.”
Photo Courtesy: Siemens
The Mireo Smart Plus B uses the existing infrastructure efficiently. The batteries can be charged both while driving and while stationary – without additional charging facilities. For deployment on the Düssel-Wupper-Express (RE 47) from summer 2026, this means: no structural adjustments, no additional investments. Thanks to state-of-the-art Silicon Carbide (SiC) Technology, the train impresses with particularly low energy consumption. This not only increases energy efficiency but also sustainably reduces operating costs – a win for both the environment and economic efficiency.
Photo Courtesy: Siemens
The trains will be maintained by Siemens Mobility as part of a full-service contract, which guarantees almost 100% availability in daily operations. In future, preventive and corrective maintenance will be carried out at Siemens Mobility’s Dortmund Rail Service Centre, one of the most modern maintenance facilities in Europe. Siemens Mobility uses digital services from the Railigent X platform to continuously monitor the trains and examine them for possible faults – so that they can be ordered to the workshop in Dortmund in good time for maintenance work. Thus, Siemens Mobility and Smart Train Lease provide their full range of services to Regiobahn.
Hitachi to build intercity battery trains in the United Kingdom
In April this year, Arriva Group has received an order for nine cutting-edge battery hybrid trains to replace its entire Grand Central fleet, providing a major boost to regional economies and offering passengers more comfortable, greener travel options. Grand Central; which is a part of the Arriva Group and is an open-access train operating company; operates trains on the Grand Central fleet in London.
The order for 45 Hitachi Rail ‘tri-mode’ cars, which have the flexibility to run on electrified and non-electrified tracks, along with a 10-year maintenance contract, represents an investment of around £300 million. Tri-mode means the trains can be powered using electricity, battery or diesel.
Photo Courtesy: Hitachi
The trains will be manufactured at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe factory, helping to protect jobs and skills at their UK manufacturing base. Meanwhile, the battery element of the order unlocks a new advanced manufacturing opportunity for the factory, and wider supply chain. The order supports both the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Mission for economic growth, cementing the North East’s role as UK battery hub.
Commenting on the development, Amanda Furlong, Managing Director of Arriva UK Trains, said, “This major investment underscores our commitment to the UK market. We are proud to connect under-served communities with regional and national centres, helping make sustainable train travel the easy choice. These best-in-class, greener trains will deliver more comfortable journeys and a step-change in capacity on our popular Grand Central services. We look forward to announcing further rolling stock orders, providing jobs and wider economic benefits, as and when our network grows.”
The pioneering technology will cut emissions and fuel consumption by around 30%. The trains can enter and exit stations in zero-emission battery mode, helping improve air quality and reduce noise in urban centres. The new trains will include 20% more seats than existing rolling stock, helping in meeting increased passenger demand and encouraging the switch to public transport. Travellers will also benefit from more luggage storage, in-seat power and an electronic reservation system.
By P. K. Chatterjee (PK)
