Bombardier Transportation and energy storage solutions provider Leclanché have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the use of battery systems in the railway sector.

Under the agreement, Bombardier will use Leclanché’s lithium titanate oxide (LTO) and lithium graphite/NMC (GNMC) cells, module and pack technology across its train portfolio.

Bombardier Transportation Module Center Energy & Motion head Frédéric Hendrick said: “Leclanché’s ability to cover the complete value chain and the leading cell technologies from design and production of lithium cells in Europe to full battery systems for railway applications, together with our traction technology positions us together as leaders in electrification solutions that will deliver lower operational expenditure and enable environmental sustainability for all train types.”

The collaboration is expected to help move towards adopting environmentally friendly and clean lithium-ion cells.

It will minimise dependency on diesel engines, which will eventually contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the railway sector.

With this partnership, Leclanché’s eTransport business will also be strengthened.

Independent studies have projected that rail battery demand will be up by 400% by 2025.

Leclanché CEO Anil Srivastava said: “Leclanché is delighted to have been awarded preferred supplier status by Bombardier Transportation, one the world’s leading providers of mobility solutions for rail transport.

“We look forward to working with Bombardier to develop and provide Leclanché battery systems that help to deliver sustainable, connected, zero-emission solutions for the rail industry.”