Vivarail, powered by Valence battery modules, introduces battery train in North America

Vivarail, a battery technology for rail applications provider, retrofitted railcars with Lithion Battery's Valence battery modules for its rail pilot project, Pop-Up Metro.

The original concept for Pop-Up Metro UK was a battery-powered, modular train that can easily be integrated into any existing rail infrastructure in any metropolitan region.

Henry Posner III, the chairman of Railroad Development Corporation (RDC), expressed his vision for a rail-based mass transit system in the United States.

"A lot of urban areas in this country have underutilized 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,” said Posner.

Vivarail says its train was the first battery powered train in series production in Europe and this latest train is believed to be the first lithium ion phosphate powered train in operation in the U.S. The inherent benefits of battery power in rail applications are set to grow in both North America and globally. There are opportunities in rail that are cohesive with President Joe Biden Administration’s emphasis on infrastructure, sustainability and investment in new power technologies that support green initiatives, notes Lithion.

The team behind Pop-Up Metro and Vivarail say they look forward to demonstrating battery powered trains to customers across the U.S., including public transportation systems that are considering adding rail-based options; adding to existing services and incorporating the next generation of trains; or private developers who may incorporate rail into their projects.