Siemens Mobility’s British Battery Trains Technology Launched in Germany, Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future in the UK

Siemens Mobility has successfully rolled out the innovative technology behind its British battery trains on the East Brandenburg network in Germany. The first of 31 Mireo Plus B trains began operating on 15 December, marking a significant milestone for the technology that will underpin the Desiro Verve project in the UK. This follows the launch of the same technology on 27 new trains in Germany’s Ortenau region in April, with additional deployments planned for Denmark in 2025.

The British Desiro Verve trains will be assembled at Siemens Mobility’s newly opened Train Manufacturing Facility in Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire. The facility was formally inaugurated in October by the Transport Secretary and the Mayor of London, underscoring the UK’s commitment to cutting-edge rail technology.

Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO of Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland, commented: “It is fantastic to see the innovative technology that will power our British Desiro Verve trains already in action. The successful deployment of these trains in Germany proves that the technology is ready, and it will revolutionize rail travel by offering a sustainable alternative to aging diesel trains.”

The Desiro Verve trains, which will be built at Siemens’ state-of-the-art Goole Rail Village, will provide an integrated solution to replace Britain’s outdated diesel trains without requiring extensive track electrification. This approach promises to save the UK £3.5 billion over the next 35 years, while accelerating the decarbonisation of the nation’s railways.

Significant Cost Savings and Sustainability

In June, Siemens Mobility highlighted the potential savings of £3.5 billion for the UK’s railways over the next 35 years by adopting Desiro Verve trains, as opposed to using diesel-battery-electric ‘tri-mode’ trains. This initiative also aligns with the UK Government’s target to eliminate diesel-only trains by 2040.

The British Desiro Verve trains will operate on electrified routes powered by overhead wires, seamlessly transitioning to battery power in areas without electrification. This means only limited sections of the railway or certain stations need to be electrified, reducing disruption and speeding up the replacement of diesel trains compared to full electrification.

Siemens Mobility’s Rail Charging Converter (RCC) further enhances the system’s efficiency by enabling overhead line equipment (OLE) to be connected directly to the domestic grid. This technology significantly shortens OLE installation timelines, potentially reducing delivery times from seven years to just 18 months.

With the UK’s aging diesel trains poised for replacement, the success of Siemens Mobility’s battery trains in Europe signals a promising diesel-free future for the UK. The introduction of Desiro Verve battery bi-mode trains will provide cleaner, more reliable, and sustainable rail travel, paving the way for a greener future in British railways.