The UK has commissioned nearly £1bn to build 29 Adessia Stream battery‑electric trains in Derby for TransPennine Express. The five‑car units—manufactured from 2028 and expected in service by late 2034—will run emission‑free on non‑electrified stretches, boost Pennines capacity by around 30% and cut some journey times by up to 14 minutes. Each train will recharge from overhead lines and rapid chargers at termini and is expected to have a range of roughly 50 miles (80 km). The move renews debate over whether batteries can replace full mainline electrification on high‑traffic routes.
Near £1bn Deal: UK's First Long‑Distance Battery‑Electric Trains To Be Built In Derby
New battery-electric TransPennine Express trains are set to enter service in 2034 [Alstom]
A near‑£1bn contract will fund the UK's first battery‑electric trains designed for long‑distance mainline services. Alstom will build 29 Adessia Stream units at its Litchurch Lane works in Derby for TransPennine Express (TPE), a move described by local leaders as delivering faster, more reliable journeys and hundreds of jobs across the region.
Step-free boarding is being promised as part of the new fleet [Alstom]
What The New Trains Will Do
The five‑car trains are due to be manufactured from 2028 and are expected to enter service from late 2034. They will operate on routes including Liverpool Lime Street–Scarborough, Manchester Airport–Saltburn and Manchester Piccadilly–Hull. Each unit could raise capacity across the Pennines by roughly 30% and aims to shave up to 10 minutes off journeys between Manchester and Leeds and up to 14 minutes between Manchester and York.
A managing director at Alstom said the fleet would transform journeys across northern England [BBC]
Battery And Charging Technology
On electrified sections the trains will draw power from overhead wires via a roof‑mounted pantograph. That electricity will run the traction motors and recharge the on‑board battery. On non‑electrified stretches the units will run on battery power. Alstom says the trains will recover energy through regenerative braking—when the motors act as generators and return captured energy to the battery—and that rapid‑charging points will be installed at terminus stations in Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn.
James O'Sullivan said he was excited to see Alstom busy again [BBC]
Range And Operations
Alstom expects a range of about 50 miles (around 80 km) between charges, enabling the trains to cover multiple routes where continuous overhead electrification is absent. The units will therefore allow emission‑free operation on non‑electrified sections while still taking advantage of existing electrified infrastructure.
The Midland Mainline electrification project currently stops south of Leicester [Network Rail]
Passenger Experience And Accessibility
The new trains will offer step‑free boarding, more wheelchair spaces, dedicated cycle and buggy storage and onboard Wi‑Fi, improving accessibility and comfort for passengers across the network.
Steve Jones, branch secretary of Rail Future East Midlands, says he still wants the Midland Mainline electrifying, despite Thursday's announcement [BBC]
Context And Overseas Examples
Battery trains are already in use elsewhere. Merseyrail introduced battery‑equipped units in 2023. Japan’s Hitachi BEC Series 819 (DENCHA) began commercial service in 2016 on Kyushu and, according to Hitachi, helped cut CO2 emissions substantially after replacing diesel units. Austria, Germany, Italy, France, the United States and Australia have also trialled or introduced battery‑capable trains.
Debate Over Electrification
The announcement has prompted renewed discussion about wider electrification projects. In 2025 the Department for Transport paused plans to electrify the Midland Main Line north from South Wigston, Leicestershire. Campaigners such as Railfuture argue that busy main lines still benefit from continuous overhead electrification, while industry voices say battery technology can "close the gaps" and avoid the very high cost of wiring every mile of track.
“These 29 new trains will bring faster, more reliable journeys to the North, and thousands of British jobs for the next generation,” said Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Economic And Industrial Impact
The contract is expected to support more than 350 jobs in Derby and nearly 6,000 across the UK supply chain. Rock Rail will purchase the completed trains and lease them to TransPennine Express. The deal also represents direct government investment into Alstom and is intended to stabilise and revive production activity at the Derby site.
Key names and organisations: Alstom (manufacturer), TransPennine Express (operator), Rock Rail (rolling stock owner), Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester), Tiana May (Railway News), Steve Jones (Railfuture East Midlands).
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