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Press Releases（Archive）
FY2012 - FY2003

Introduction of World's First Hybrid Railcar in Commercial Use
—Series kiha E200—

East Japan Railway Company

November 8, 2005

Aiming to reduce the burden on the environment, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) built a new energy (NE) train test railcar carrying a hybrid system, a new type of motive power system. We have been carrying out tests on this railcar since May 2003 to assess its running performance and energy saving effects.
As favorable results were achieved, JR East will build three hybrid railcars for commercial use, which will become the first hybrid trains to carry paying passengers in the world. We will collect comprehensive data during the first two years of operation and investigate the merits of mass production of such vehicles.

[Characteristics of the new hybrid train]

Kinder to the environment

  • The hybrid system enables a variety of environmental benefits to be realized. Fuel consumption is reduced—by approximately 10% compared with the series kiha 110 trains currently in service on the Koumi Line—through effective utilization of regenerative energy from braking. The train engine is shut off during stops at stations, reducing noise by 30 dB.
  • We also aim to reduce exhaust NOx, lead and other particulate matter by approximately 60% when combined with the effect of hybrid systems by using the latest countermeasure engines (common rail diesel engine) as diesel engines for power generation.

Increased comfort and usability for passengers

  • The floor of the train will be lowered to reduce the difference in height between the train and the platform by 45 mm.
  • Hand straps will be lowered by 40 mm around the priority seating and seats will be widened (by 20 mm per person in the two long rows of seats facing each other).
  • Trains will be fitted with a large restroom with an automatic door to accommodate wheelchair users.

Less maintenance required

  • Motors, control apparatus, air conditioning systems and other equipment used in the latest commuter trains will be employed, which require less maintenance.
1.  Number of cars to be manufactured   3 (each with a control platform at both ends of the train and two doors on each side)
2. Line on which cars will be used   Koumi Line (Kobuchizawa to Komoro)
3. Cars to be introduced   Scheduled to be brought into service in summer 2007 (Manufacture is scheduled to be completed by the end of fiscal 2006.)
4. Overview of cars
Please refer to the separate sheet.

Overview of series kiha E200 Hybrid train

Concept

The world’s first hybrid railcar in commercial use

Figures are comparisons with the series kiha 100

Kinder to the environment
• Saves energy Fuel consumption reduced, by 10% on the Koumi Line (maximum of 20% achievable)
• Harmful exhaust gases reduced   Emission of NOx gases and particulate matter cut by 60%
• Lower noise level Reduced engine noise (by 30 dB through turning the engine off during stops at stations)

(Results from a questionnaire on Chuo Line (rapid service) passengers used)

Increased comfort and usability for passengers
•  Difference in height between train and platform reduced (by 45 mm, from 205 mm to 160 mm)
•  Hand straps lowered around priority seating (by 40 mm, from 1,620 mm to 1,580 mm)
•  Seats widened (by 20 mm per person, from 440 mm to 460 mm in the two long rows of seats facing each other)
•  Train fitted with large restroom with an automatic door to accommodate wheelchair users
Reduced maintenance
•  Parts from commuter trains used, which require less maintenance
  Fewer parts that need maintenance used, such as transmission components
  Need for hot water and refrigerant pipes eliminated through use of electric heating and air conditioning
  Parts requiring less maintenance used (e.g. auxiliary power unit, inverter, converter, motor)

External appearance

Inside train
External appearance Inside train
Facilities
  Hybrid train
Koumi Line
Capacity 117 passengers (train with a control platform at each end of the train)
Maximum speed 100 km/h
Height of floor
(Height of step)		 1130 mm (970 mm)
Restroom Western-style restroom capable of accommodating wheelchair users (with vacuum waste disposal system)
Train body Stainless steel
Other features LED train destination indicator
LED information device inside train

Comparison with conventional system

  • Conventional system

    The transmission, which regulates the driving force, transmits the power of the engine to the wheels, thus driving the train.

    Conventional system

  • Hybrid system

    ·The motor is used as a generator during braking, which recharges the storage battery.
    ·The control apparatus drives the motors in the same way as with an electric train, using electric power from the generator and the storage battery.

    Hybrid system

     

    Moving off from rest

    Immediately after moving off, the motor is driven using only electric power stored in the battery.
      Moving off from rest
     

    Accelerating

    The engine is turned on, and the motor is driven using electric power from both the generator and storage battery.
      Accelerating
     

    Braking

    Braking energy is stored in the battery by using the motor as a generator.
      Braking
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