Vivarail has begun testing a former London Underground D78 car which it has converted into a demonstrator vehicle for the use of onboard batteries. Testing of the vehicle’s range and performance are being undertaken at the Quinton Rail Technology Centre, to help inform plans for the future development of passenger-carrying battery and hybrid multiple-units.

The project has been undertaken with Valence Technology, which supplied the two lithium battery modules, and Strukton Rail which supplied the control systems. Traktionssysteme Austria supplied the AC traction motors.  (Source: Railway Gazette)