Electric Motoring - DB Schenker Rail UK is Trialling Electric Vans for Use in Its Maintenance Depots
Deutsche Bahn Schenker Rail UK has launched yet another eco-initiative by starting to introducing electric vans
DBSR UK - which handles the majority of UK's internal and international railfreight transport - is continuing to improve its eco-performance by trialling an electric van in conjunction with Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, Nissan and Tevo. Tevo specialises in fitting out vans as mobile workshops, with benches, storage for tools, engineering components and spare parts.
The trial is underway at DB Schenker Rail UK's Toton depot where the emission and fuel savings of the vehicle are being recorded. Toton is a locomotive maintenance depot on the Derbyshire/ Nottinghamshire border.
The van will be trialled at different depots to explore the possibility of replacing elements of the DB Schenker Rail UK fleet with fully electric vehicles.
Of course, an even bigger saving of money and greenhouse gas emissions would accrue if the Conservative Government would re-instate plans to electrify more of the UK rail network. There are several short stretches of track - many of less than two miles - without an electric power supply. This then forces railfreight operators to use diesel locomotives instead of the far more efficient and eco-friendly electric haulage.