Bombardier Transportation has successfully completed a 26-mile catenary-free test run in the German city of Mannheim using a tram, powered by Bombardier’s PRIMOVE battery and MITRAC (Modular Integrated TRACtion) system.

The PRIMOVE system features batteries provided by the German firm AKASOL, and use nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) Li-ion cells. A thermal conditioning unit maintains the battery’s ideal temperature and enables rapid charging and full braking energy recovery. Battery lifetime is expected to be up to ten years.

The PRIMOVE battery and MITRAC propulsion equipment combination has also been in revenue service in Nanjing, China since August 2014. Six trams, built by CRRC Puzhen under Bombardier license, operate without overhead cables on 90% of the lines. The batteries are charged during passenger service via a pantograph, statically at tram stops, and dynamically during acceleration.

PRIMOVE-powered e-buses are also in operation in Braunschweig, Mannheim and Berlin, Germany and in Bruges, Belgium.

Source: Bombardier via Green Car Congress