Hitachi Rail’s first long-distance hybrid battery train will help to cut carbon emissions by 83% when it enters service later this year.
Trenitalia presented its new hybrid intercity train, the first of seven due to be manufactured this year, at an event in Reggio Calabria, southern Italy.
The trains will run in the south of the country on routes between Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia, as part of a wider €1.23 billion framework agreement for hybrid trains with Trenitalia.
“Our train is designed to make journeys even safer, more comfortable and greener.”
The train draws from battery, electric, hybrid and diesel power using innovative hybrid technology. The hybrid driving mode enables energy recovery during deceleration and braking, which has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by around 83% compared to current diesel-powered trains.
It is capable of a top speed of 160 km/h.
Luca D’Aquila, COO of the Hitachi Rail Group and CEO Hitachi Rail Italy, said: “Our hybrid intercity train is a sustainable, innovative train with cutting edge performance.
“Our train is designed to make journeys even safer, more comfortable and greener, supporting Trenitalia in its goal of equipping the country with a fleet of modern trains for the benefit of passengers and the environment.”
The new intercity train is an evolution of Hitachi Rail’s Masaccio fleet, which since December 2022 has served urban and commuters routes across Italy.
The trains in the new fleet combines cutting-edge technology with the comfort of inter-city trains, and are characterised by their own livery and interiors.
They are fitted with an innovative air conditioning system which optimises consumption based on the number of passengers, substantial capacity for luggage storage and enhanced bike stations.
Image credit: Hitachi Rail
