The suitability of lithium batteries within a tramway environment is dependent upon the chosen battery chemistry, as there are a large number available, with differing capabilities in terms of performance, safety, and durability.
Battery-powered tramways are a type of public transportation system that rely on batteries for power. New projects in this field often focus on lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which is a family of electrochemistries that has developed over the last 30 years. One relatively new type of Li-ion battery is Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO).
Nice’s Citadis trams use battery power to cross the Place Masséna instead of using overhead wires or a third rail. The city was keen to avoid the visual intrusion of overhead wires or the complexities of a third rail supply in historic squares. Image courtesy of N. Pulling
For reliable service, a tram should be built for 30-40 years. Saft sized the batteries to provide a lifetime of at least seven years, matching CAF’s maintenance intervals.
The new tramway in Liège, Belgium, features trams equipped with onboard battery energy storage for off-wire operation. A mock-up of a CAF Urbos unit, displaying this feature, is on display in the city’s transport museum. Image courtesy Mosbatho/CC BY 4.0
Hitachi Rail’s battery-powered tram technology offers the major benefit of requiring no electrified infrastructure. Our trams can operate on sections of routes with no overhead wires, such as historic city centres, like Florence, Italy, and offer range increase of up to 5km.