The contract is worth approximately ¥124bn (US$899m). HTSC will deliver the trains based on the most advanced N700S train of Central Japan Railway Company, with delivery to begin in 2026.
THSRC started operation of high-speed trains in 2007 between Taipei and Kaohsiung, introducing the Japanese Shinkansen system. The new trains will enhance the capacity of passenger services.
The 300m length train will be put into operation at a maximum speed of 300km/h. The train will be lighter and have better aerodynamic performance compared with the existing 700T.
It will be energy efficient by adopting the compact traction system, combining a silicon carbide (SiC) device with a blower-less cooling system. The new train will be equipped with lithium-ion batteries (SCiBTM) to power the train at low speed in case of power outage.
In Taiwan, many people are already using the reliable high-speed railway, which has provided unparalleled safety and reliability to passengers for more than a decade. It is anticipated that introducing the new rolling stock will encourage even more people to make the modal shift to environmentally friendly high-speed railway.