As the UK moves towards its 2050 net zero target, the electrification of rail remains an underexplored part of the clean mobility puzzle. While electric cars and buses dominate the public conversation, a significant share of Britain’s trains still run on diesel – noisy, carbon-heavy, and increasingly out of step with the country’s climate goals.

That picture is starting to change. With growing momentum behind infrastructure modernisation, battery-powered trains are becoming a practical, lower-carbon alternative to diesel – especially on lines where full electrification remains too complex or expensive. And while battery trains may not be the only or even the dominant solution, they are an important part of a broader toolkit that can help decarbonise the UK’s railways more flexibly and affordably.

Importantly, the opportunity here is not just about emissions. Battery rail presents a smarter approach to investment – improving operational efficiency, reducing lifetime costs and boosting the passenger experience, all while supporting domestic battery supply chains.

Full electrification is a powerful solution – but it comes with high capital costs, long timelines, and major infrastructure disruption. In contrast, battery-electric trains offer targeted, lower-cost routes to emissions reduction. They can be deployed more quickly, retrofitted to existing rolling stock and integrated with other low-carbon solutions to maximise impact.

Battery systems can support improved fleet flexibility, reduce maintenance demands and unlock service improvements – critical advantages at a time when operators face budget constraints, an ageing network and pressure to deliver more for less.

A technology ready to deliver
Just a few years ago, battery-powered trains faced serious technical hurdles. Short range, slow charging and fire safety risks kept them on the fringe of mainstream planning. But advances in battery chemistry, design and engineering have changed the equation.

Today’s systems offer significantly improved energy density, longer ranges, faster charging times and greater safety – especially with innovations like solid-state designs and non-flammable electrolytes. These advancements mean battery-powered trains are not only feasible, but increasingly viable on many UK routes.

At LionVolt, we’re building battery platforms that are modular, scalable and chemistry-agnostic – able to support lithium-ion, sodium-ion and other next-gen formats. Our 3D lithium-metal anode architecture improves energy density, charging speed and cycle life, while also enhancing safety and reducing dependency on scarce materials. This flexibility matters – especially as global supply chains remain unpredictable and sustainability targets grow more ambitious.

Battery rail in action
Battery-powered trains are already being trialled in parts of the UK, including services in Wales and pilots such as GWR’s battery-powered intercity train project. These early efforts show that adoption is not just theoretical – it is already happening, albeit at limited scale.

Much of the UK’s opportunity lies not in radically reinventing the rail network, but in selectively upgrading where battery tech makes the most sense: regional routes, branch lines and areas where diesel remains entrenched. Off-the-shelf solutions are likely to meet many of these needs. The challenge is less about technological readiness, and more about unlocking momentum in a sector traditionally slow to change.

In that context, batteries should be seen as one of several enablers – not a silver bullet, but a versatile, fast-to-deploy tool that can complement other decarbonisation pathways.

Battery-powered trains are already being trialled in parts of the UK, including services in Wales and pilots such as GWR’s battery-powered intercity train project.

Building a clean transport future
While the immediate commercial opportunity in UK rail may be modest, the longer-term industrial and strategic gains are more significant. Scaling domestic battery production can create high-skilled jobs, reduce reliance on imports and strengthen energy resilience.

LionVolt is investing in that future – developing advanced battery technologies in the Netherlands and manufacturing cells in the UK. This trans-European approach supports faster innovation, strengthens supply chains and contributes to the region’s clean tech leadership.

With the right strategic focus, including smart regulation, workforce training and targeted infrastructure upgrades, the UK can support the growth of battery-powered rail as part of a broader transport decarbonisation strategy.

This is not about incremental upgrades – it is about reimagining what rail can be. Rail decarbonisation does not need to wait on a perfect solution. Battery-electric trains are already proving their value in Europe and, in time, they can do the same here.

The technology is ready. The early use cases are known. The moment is now. What is needed is a pragmatic, forward-looking approach that recognises where battery rail fits – not as a remedy, but as a practical and scalable tool for accelerating progress.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are strictly those of the author only and are not necessarily given or endorsed by or on behalf of the Energy Institute.

• Further reading: ‘Hitachi Rail unveils battery hybrid train’. Hitachi Rail and Italian rail operator Trenitalia have unveiled a battery hybrid train, said to be the first passenger service of its kind in Europe. The hybrid tri-mode train can switch between battery, electric or diesel power, and is expected to cut carbon emissions and fuel consumption by more than 50%.
• Find out how Denmark has been electrifying the main part of the national railway network, following a decision by the government to reduce CO₂ emissions from railway operations.