Great Western Railway (GWR) has set a new world record for battery-electric train range, with its Class 230 train completing a 200-mile journey on a single charge.
The return trip, which began and ended at Reading Train Care Depot and included stops at London Paddington and Oxford, surpasses the previous record of 139 miles set by Stadler Deutschland in Berlin in 2021.
The achievement coincides with the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and highlights the growing viability of battery-electric traction as GWR prepares to phase out its ageing diesel fleet.
“We can confirm that, subject to final checks, the Great Western Railway Class 230 train travelled 200 miles on a return journey from Reading Train Care Depot without charging its batteries from any external energy source,” said Nigel Smedley, vice chair of the Rail Performance Society, which verified the record.
Train 230001 was previously used in GWR’s fast-charge trial on the Greenford branch line. The record follows the publication of a GWR White Paper detailing the trial’s success and the potential for battery trains to serve as cost-effective, low-emission alternatives to diesel.
“We’re delighted to set a new world record – and to reach 200 miles in such a landmark year for the rail industry is the icing on the cake,” said Dr Simon Green, GWR engineering director. “Today’s achievement provides clear evidence that this is a viable and exciting solution for the future of our railway.”
He noted that although overhead lines are still the primary choice, the battery train offers a dependable and cost-effective way to cover non-electrified sections.
