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Written question asked by Rachael Maskell (Labour) on Thursday, 12 May 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 May 2022 (named day). It was answered by Wendy Morton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 17 May 2022 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Great British Railways

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of how Great British Railways should work with new energy technologies to power the future of rail.

Answer

The government is committed to providing a net zero rail network by 2050, and to do so we will electrify most of the network and deploy battery and hydrogen trains on some lines, where it makes economic and operational sense. To support this Great British Rail will bring forward costed options to decarbonise the whole network to meet the government’s commitment to a net-zero society as part of the 30-year strategy. The 30-year rail strategy will provide clear, long-term plans to transform the rail, strengthen collaboration with industry and incentivise innovation in new energy technologies.

The government is currently supporting the development of battery and hydrogen technology in rail through innovation funding and research. This includes work on safety and wider issues that will have to be considered to allow battery and hydrogen trains smooth entry onto the network. As such, Great Western Railway has signed a deal that will see the UK’s first battery-only train enter scheduled passenger service this year, trialling Vivarail’s new fast charger. The trial is supported by £2.15m funding from the Department for Transport's Rail Network Enhancement pipeline (RNEP).

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
1217
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Energy Railways Technology Great British Railways
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk