GWR Operates UK’s 1st Battery Train, Records 322.6 km Range

Great Western Railway (GWR) has initiated commercial passenger service for the UK’s first train powered exclusively by batteries. The Class 230 unit, numbered 230001, commenced operations with its 5:30 a.m. departure on the West Ealing to Greenford route. This deployment replaces a diesel-powered train on the Greenford branch line and follows a 22-month testing program.

The extended testing period was designed to evaluate the performance and safety of the train and its associated rapid charging technology under real-world operating conditions. A primary focus of the evaluation was the reliability of the discontinuous charging infrastructure installed at stations. This system allows the unit’s batteries to be recharged during scheduled stops, obviating the need for continuous overhead catenary electrification across the entire line.

During its pre-service trials, unit 230001 established a new world record for the longest distance traveled by a battery-electric train on a single charge. The train covered 322.6 km, surpassing the previous record of 223.7 km set in 2021. This result provides critical validation for the application of battery technology on branch lines where full electrification is not economically or logistically feasible. Network Rail supported the project by providing essential trackside infrastructure, including the high-capacity battery installations required for the fast-charging system.

According to Simon Green, GWR’s engineering director, the tests demonstrated that battery technology offers a reliable and efficient alternative to conventional electric traction for specific network segments. The transition to commercial service will enable the collection of extensive operational data. This data will inform GWR’s fleet modernization plans and will be made available to the wider British rail industry. A white paper summarizing the technical findings from the testing program was published in July 2025.

GWR’s strategy incorporates battery trains as a core component for replacing its aging diesel rolling stock. The operator’s future procurement plans are based on a requirement for battery-powered units to travel over 96 km between charges, a performance threshold that the Class 230 trials have shown to be realistic. The project cost was substantial, reflecting the investment in the new train and the supporting infrastructure, though specific financial details have not been disclosed.

In its initial phase, unit 230001 will operate on the Greenford branch line on Saturdays only. GWR plans to gradually increase the frequency of services as performance and reliability data from commercial operation are collected and analyzed.

The operator is currently working with the Department for Transport (DfT) and other industry stakeholders to develop the financial and operational framework for a wider deployment of battery-powered trains across the UK rail network. The performance data from the Greenford line will be critical to building this business case.