Environment - Battery-powered trains to run in the Bavarian Forest from 2034
The environmentally and climate-damaging diesel trains in the Bavarian Forest are to disappear by 2034. An expert report recommends converting the Plattling - Bayerisch Eisenstein line and its branch lines to electrically powered vehicles. "In the Bavarian Forest, battery operation is the best solution to end the current diesel operation. It is cheaper than using hydrogen trains and requires significantly less infrastructure expansion than full electrification," said Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter on Tuesday.
The conversion would require investments of around 30 million euros for recharging facilities, he added. The Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG) had commissioned the Technical University of Dresden to examine how local rail passenger transport could be converted to climate-friendly drive systems. The study also examined the impact of the planned electrification of the line from Klatovy in the Czech Republic to Bayerisch Eisenstein. The use of hydrogen trains was also examined.
Despite the lower investment in infrastructure compared to battery operation, the TU Dresden estimates that the use of hydrogen trains would be significantly more expensive over 30 years because hydrogen costs more and the vehicle costs are also higher. According to Bernreiter, the Free State therefore now wants to commission the planning for battery operation.
Ten kilometers with overhead lines planned
On the Deutsche Bahn route network, this involves the electrification of the ten-kilometre section from Bettmannsäge via Zwiesel to Ludwigsthal and the construction of a recharging facility in Grafenau. If electrification is carried out on the Czech side as far as Bayerisch Eisenstein, the overhead line between Zwiesel and Ludwigsthal could be dispensed with. As soon as the Gotteszell - Viechtach line goes into regular operation, there will also be a recharging option in Viechtach.
Battery-powered trains use sections with overhead lines to recharge the battery. Non-electrified routes can then be used electrically. According to the experts' proposal, the electricity for the recharging facilities should come from the national grid and be supplied with the voltage required for train traffic in converter stations. The construction of new traction current lines is not planned, it was said. However, due to ongoing contracts for diesel operation, the switch to battery-powered trains is not scheduled to take place until December 2034.
Expert opinion for railroad line
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- The Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG) sought an expert approach from TU Dresden to explore retrofitting the railroad line in the Bavarian Forest with climate-friendly drive systems.
- Christian Bernreiter, the Transport Minister of Bavaria, supported the recommendation to convert the Plattling - Bayerisch Eisenstein line to battery-powered trains, as it was found to be more cost-effective and require less infrastructure expansion than full electrification or hydrogen trains.
- The conversion to battery-powered trains would include the construction of recharging facilities, with an estimated investment of around 30 million euros needed for this purpose.
- The use of hydrogen trains, while requiring less infrastructure expansion, would be significantly more expensive over 30 years due to higher hydrogen costs and vehicle expenses.
- Munich-based TU Dresden's study also examined the environmental impact of electrifying the Klatovy - Bayerisch Eisenstein line and evaluated the potential of using hydrogen trains.
- Bernreiter subsequently commissioned the planning for battery-operated trains, which involves the electrification of a ten-kilometer section of the Deutsche Bahn route network in the Bavarian Forest and the construction of a recharging facility in Grafenau.
- The implementation of battery-powered trains on the Deutsche Bahn network allows sections with overhead lines to recharge the battery, enabling electricity to be used on non-electrified routes as well.
Source: www.stern.de
