The sign turns purple: that is why no battery trains run on the route in Friesland

The experiment with battery trains on the Frisian railway will not be ‘particular’. Based on the province, ‘the events concerned have determined that this isn’t attainable, primarily due to ‘technical design and operational elements’. The Leeuwarden – Harlingen Haven line can be designated as a nationwide check route for the brand new ERTMS practice security system.

Because of this, this route will probably be sooner than typical. Extra testing is dangerous. As well as, practice seats won’t be obtainable to pilot with battery trains within the coming years, because the transport firm Arriva has to alter all its gear for ERTMS, the province answered questions from the Frisian VVD . This celebration got here to gentle after a narrative about battery trains within the Netherlands LC .

A heavy check

Earlier than that, it was all the time stated that after a small check (one time) a number of years in the past, an actual check can be carried out in 2024 or 2025. Relying on how profitable this was, it might be the battery trains operating ‘completely’.

About 15 % of Dutch railways should not but electrified. Diesel trains that emit CO2 run right here. The railway supervisor ProRail and the province, along with Arriva, wish to drive with out emissions as quickly as attainable. Nonetheless, putting in traces above the electrical trains is pricey and takes a very long time. Different sustainable choices are hydrogen trains and battery trains.

Persistence

Fryslân has opted for battery trains. The province continues to assist this. Such trains match ‘inside the sustainability goal’. However there are not any new goal dates for checks in the intervening time.

The provincial authorities has stated it’s nonetheless aiming to maneuver in direction of emission-free rail transport by December 2035. Research are ongoing. The board intends to submit a proposal to the Provincial Council within the first half of 2025.