Magtec is working on the £4m (US$5.3m) hybrid project with Britain’s Angel Trains, a leading train asset management company, maintenance experts Loram, and Chiltern Railways, part of the Arriva group. The project will see the conversion of a diesel multiple unit (DMU) to a low-emission hybrid drive with self-charging battery technology.
Andrew Gilligan, managing director of Magtec, said, “Our market-leading technology has the potential to help decarbonize the rail network with improved fuel efficiency and performance with lower emissions. As it scales up, this project is on track to become a game-changer for the UK rail industry.”
Magtec specializes in the design, manufacture, and integration of drive systems for electric and hybrid vehicles. Globally, the company has delivered 650 systems which have accumulated more than three million operational hours. Magtec has commissioned a state-of-the-art factory in South Yorkshire to scale up production and meet growing international demand for its technologies.
According to Magtec, the hybrid DMU train’s electric drive will offer improved acceleration compared to its diesel-only counterparts, potentially reducing journey times for passengers. Its smart drive system can detect proximity to stations or depots, switching to battery power to cut emissions and noise in populated areas.
Furthermore, Magtec’s new range-extender generators charge the traction battery and deliver power to the traction motor. They are smaller and more efficient than existing diesel engines and comply with the latest emissions standards. The battery is also recharged by the train’s regenerative braking system, increasing overall efficiency, and further reducing emissions.