Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation has successfully completed a 25.8 mile catenary-free test run using a Bombardier-built tram, powered entirely by its PRIMOVE battery in combination with BOMBARDIER MITRAC.  The test run was conducted in the German city of Mannheim on the Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (RNV) network.

This opens up many of our heaviest traveled routes to support using Light Train systems, without the expense of overhead wiring or the use of diesel engines to charge the batteries.

For example, there would be no need for electrification to use Light Trains to connect 87 to 17 via the 85 corridor with zero co2 emissions.  We could then use the savings for express lanes.

See:

• Bombardier’s Battery Powered Tram Sets Range Record
• Bombardier battery-electric powered tram sets range record: 25.9 miles of catenary-free operation
• Fuel cell power module for trams