BRITISH passenger operator Great Western Railway (GWR) has claimed a new world record for the longest distance covered by a battery-powered train, after its class 230 train covered 320km on a single charge on August 20.

Subject to final confirmation, GWR says that this beats the previous world record of 224km in battery-only mode set by a Stadler Flirt Akku BEMU between Berlin and Rostock on December 10 2021.

The class 230 that has set the new record is not equipped with a pantograph, but is recharged at stationary charging points using the FastCharge technology that GWR acquired when class 230 manufacturer Vivarail went into administration in December 2022.

The GWR train that set the new record has successfully completed a year of testing with the FastCharge system on the 3.8km West Ealing - Greenford branch in west London. For the record attempt, it ran from the rolling stock maintenance depot in Reading to London Paddington, made a journey to Oxford and back, and then returned to Reading from Paddington.

GWR says the train was able to achieve a range of 320km on a single charge by operating in “super mode,” travelling at a maximum speed of between 48km/h and 64km/h with the electric train heating system turned off. At its maximum speed of 96km/h, GWR estimates that the class 230 would have a range of around 192km.

While GWR notes that the furthest distance currently being achieved under battery power alone is 67.2km, it says that it will need rolling stock capable of operating for distances of over 96km as it looks to replace its DMU fleet that will reach the end of its working life in the next seven to 10 years.

GWR says that testing on the Greenford branch has demonstrated how discontinuous fast charging could help to remove the reliance on more costly overhead electrification equipment, providing confidence that battery trains could be deployed on its branch lines in the Thames Valley, in Devon and in Cornwall, and on similar lines across Britain.

According to GWR, during trials the class 230 battery train also demonstrated an 80% reduction in total carbon emissions compared with its diesel equivalent.

“Overhead lines will remain the first choice to power electric trains, but where that isn’t possible or desirable, battery technology like this offers a reliable and efficient alternative,” says GWR engineering director, Dr Simon Green.

“Today’s achievement provides clear evidence that this is a viable and exciting solution for the future of our railway.”