Characterization of Large Lithium Ion Battery and Its Application to Railcar

Abstract

The running test of railcar was examined using large lithium ion battery in the local line in Japan. 90 kWh of Mn type lithium ion battery was used. The relation between running time and voltage, current and integrating watt was investigated in detail. The railcar was run when the lithium ion battery module was discharged between 660 V and 480 V. The use of lithium ion battery had little voltage changes and enabled the smooth running compared with contact-wire type railcar. On one charge, it was also found from the running test that the railcar could run for about 40 km and the mileage improved 9 %. The running performance of lithium ion battery type railcar was equivalent to the contact-wire type railcar. It was found that the railcar powered by lithium ion battery was effective for the replace of diesel type railcar in the local line.