Abstract
East Japan Railway Company and Hitachi has been working to develop railcars that have lower environmental impact. We have developed the world's first prototype of a hybrid electric-diesel railcar, called the "NE Train (New Energy Train)" and we are checking performance of the hybrid system and railcar on test runs since May 2003. In 2004, we have improved the NE train based on the results of the test run in 2003. With refined longer life and higher power density batteries, we have obtained high acceleration and stopped idling of engine while running. We changed rotation speed of the diesel engine to reduce fuel consumption based on the data of test runs. And we have reduced car oscillation at stopping engine by braking with the generator. After the improvement of the NE Train, through the test run about 12,000km, we confirmed reduction of fuel consumption maximum 20%, reduction of pollutions, improved driving performances same as electric multiple units, and saving of labor for maintenance.
