East Japan Railway (JR East) is reducing train impact on the environment through innovations in hybrid systems, fuel cells and other motive power systems.
The new energy train (NE Train), powered by a storage battery and two 65KW fuel cells, can run at a maximum speed of 100 kph and it can travel for 50 to 100km between hydrogen refuelling stops, discharging only water.
The first step for the environmentally friendly train is the development of a test rail car that carries a hybrid system. JR East is currently conducting operational tests to assess system performance and energy saving effects.
The train will begin test runs on actual train tracks from next April, according to JR East. JR East estimates the NE Train will consume about 20 per cent less energy than traditional trains.
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