Vivarail has introduced a battery-powered train in the US by retrofitting railcars with Lithion Battery’s Valence battery modules.

This initiative is part of a Railroad Development Corporation (RDC)-backed rail pilot project called Pop-Up Metro.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Pop-Up Metro initiative aims to increase the size of the rail transit market by allowing metropolitan areas with current light-density rail freight lines to undertake demonstration operations on a speedy timeline.

RDC chairman Henry Posner III said: “A lot of urban areas in this country have underutilised freight lines that could also support transit service.

“People might not have considered these opportunities because it’s been perceived as too expensive, too lengthy and too risky. With Pop-Up Metro, you can do that project quickly on a demonstration basis.”

Vivarail’s train is believed to be the first lithium iron phosphate powered train to run in the US.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Lithion Battery’s Valence battery modules are currently being manufactured at a new centre situated in Henderson, Nevada.

Pop-Up Metro and Vivarail team now plan to demonstrate the battery-powered trains to customers in the US including private developers who may include rail into their projects and interested public transportation systems.

British rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail focuses on the development of battery trains and systems.

The company has developed Class 230 and Class 484 trains, utilising several power systems. Its first pure battery train was unveiled in 2018.

Last month, Vivarail announced plans to unveil its battery train at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) alongside Network Rail.

Railway Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Railway Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact across the defence sector.

Excellence in Action
Omnevo’s digital Order-to-Seat platform has won the Innovation Award for Onboard Retail, redefining how passengers order, pay, and receive F&B at their seats. Learn how this solution is cutting waste, streamlining logistics, and enabling operators to personalize and modernize onboard retail.

Discover the Impact