Great Western Railway (GWR) has made history by setting a new world record for the longest distance travelled by a battery-electric train on a single charge.
In a landmark year marking 200 years since the birth of the modern railway, GWR achieved an impressive 200-mile round trip starting from Reading Train Care Depot. The journey included stops at London Paddington—twice—and Oxford, showcasing the remarkable endurance of battery-powered rail technology.
This milestone surpasses the previous record of 139 miles, set by Stadler Deutschland in Berlin in 2021. It’s a significant step forward in GWR’s mission to modernise its fleet and transition away from older diesel-powered trains.
The record-breaking run was officially witnessed and verified by representatives from the Rail Performance Society, a UK-based organisation dedicated to monitoring and analysing rail traction and performance.
This achievement not only highlights the potential of battery-electric trains but also reinforces GWR’s commitment to sustainable innovation in rail transport.
Rail Performance Society Vice Chair, Nigel Smedley, said:
“We can confirm that, subject to final checks, the Great Western Railway Class 230 train travelled 200 miles on a return journey from Reading Train Care Depot without charging its batteries from any external energy source.”
The Class 230 train, unit number 230001, played a central role in GWR’s successful fast-charge technology trial on the Greenford branch line over the past year.
This new world record follows the publication of a White Paper by GWR last month, detailing the outcomes of the trial. The findings confirmed that battery-electric trains can offer a practical and cost-effective alternative to traditional diesel-powered services.
The achievement comes as GWR begins planning the renewal of its ageing regional fleet, which is expected to be phased out over the next 7 to 10 years.
GWR Engineering Director, Dr Simon Green, said:
“We’re delighted to set a new world record - and to reach 200 miles in such a landmark year for the rail industry is the icing on the cake. It’s a real tribute to colleagues at GWR and Network Rail who have worked so hard on developing fast-charge technology.
“Today’s record attempt has been a bit of fun, but it also underlines a serious point: investment in battery technology is essential as we look to replace our ageing diesel fleet.
“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 to bridge the gap.
“As part of our future rolling stock plans we’ll need battery trains to routinely cover over 60 miles between charges - and today’s achievement provides clear evidence that this is a viable and exciting solution for the future of our railway.”
Network Rail Operations Director, Simon Gillibrand, was among those at Reading Train Care Depot to welcome the record-breaking battery train.
Simon Gillibrand said:
“We’d like to congratulate GWR on setting this world record – reaching 200 miles during the Railway 200 celebrations is not just a symbolic achievement, but an important breakthrough that highlights the potential of battery-powered trains.
“Rail is already the greenest form of public transport and today’s record-breaking journey shows what an important role new technologies will play in our commitment to a low-emission railway, with a goal of reaching net-zero by 2050.”
Image credits: GWR
