On May 2, 2024, the VUZ Velim Railway Test Centre welcome the Škoda Group's first 15 Ev3 bimodal unit, designed to operate using both electric and battery modes. This new train will undergo selected type tests at the Centre, directed by its testing laboratory.
The Škoda Group has completed the development of the first Czech battery-powered train, which is designed to operate under overhead lines as well as on non-electrified sections. These units are expected to first be deployed in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The new low-floor trains are capable of reaching speeds typical of electric trains even on non-electrified tracks, utilizing battery power. This innovation introduces a dual-power source system that includes energy from overhead lines and battery systems within vehicle segments lacking such lines. The trains will use lithium-ion batteries, reputed for their longevity, and can travel approximately 80 kilometers on battery power alone at speeds up to 120 km/h.
The deployment of these battery-powered trains is set to enable direct connections between cities on routes that include non-electrified sections. České dráhy (ČD) plans to acquire these units specifically for the line connecting Ostrava, Studénka, and Štramberk, which includes both electrified and non-electrified sections. More details on this project will be shared as it progresses towards implementation.
Moreover, ČD have signed a contract for the purchase of the first battery-powered units, with the first deliveries expected by November 2024. These trains are to be tested on the S8 line connecting Bohumín, Ostrava, Studénka, Štramberk, and Veřovice as requested by the Moravian-Silesian Region.
