Occitanie launches first battery-powered train on Nîmes-Vauvert line

The Occitanie region, in partnership with SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom, has launched the first battery-powered train on the Nîmes-Vauvert line. This prototype liO train uses lithium-ion batteries to replace diesel engines on non-electrified tracks, aiming to decarbonize regional rail transport.

The train features a range of over 80 kilometers and utilizes regenerative braking to recover energy, which can lead to energy savings of up to 20%. The project is part of a 41-million-euro national innovation program involving five French regions to test the first generation of battery-powered rolling stock in real-world operating conditions.

This initiative is part of a broader effort in Occitanie to experiment with multiple low-emission technologies simultaneously, including hydrogen-powered trains and hybrid electric-diesel-battery models. The two-year testing phase will help determine the feasibility of deploying such technology on other regional lines, such as the Nîmes-Alès route.