We have the oldest rail network in the world. Some bits can’t be electrified without demolishing and rebuilding. We don’t want to do that unless absolutely necessary. These trains let us use electricity across the whole network.
The fact that the batteries have more mass is only really relevent when accelerating the train. It’ll take a bit more energy, but with a battery onboard well get 60% of it back when decelerating. (Percentage pulled from my butt)
I don’t really get the objection to these trains.
We have the oldest rail network in the world. Some bits can’t be electrified without demolishing and rebuilding. We don’t want to do that unless absolutely necessary. These trains let us use electricity across the whole network.
The fact that the batteries have more mass is only really relevent when accelerating the train. It’ll take a bit more energy, but with a battery onboard well get 60% of it back when decelerating. (Percentage pulled from my butt)