Low-floor, Battery-powered SWIMO

The low-floor, battery-powered SWIMO is equipped with the high capacity, fully sealed nickel-metal hydride battery GIGACELL. SWIMO can eliminate the need for power supply lines while offering the spacious comfort of a truly modern low-floor light rail vehicle (LRV).

The onboard GIGACELL of the SWIMO can provide power even when there is a voltage drop from the power supply line. This means that the railway operator can reduce the number of substations by spacing them farther apart. Moreover, it is now possible to eliminate power lines for some sections of the track entirely and operate SWIMO solely by using its onboard GIGACELL. Now cities can enjoy the benefits of LRV without the overhead power lines.

Electric trains offer among the highest energy efficiency and lowest CO2 emissions of any mode of transit. The GIGACELL on the SWIMO can also capture and store regenerated energy and use it efficiently. Energy stored in the GIGACELL can be used for power when starting as well as for operating auxiliary equipment. This dramatically enhances energy efficiency, underscoring SWIMO’s innate environmental friendliness.

With SWIMO’s low floor, the difference in level between it and the train platform can be reduced to a minimum, making it easily accessible to all passengers. Moreover, the ends of the leading cars also have large, flat floor surfaces that allow for a variety of seating arrangements. With this design, equipment that is normally mounted under the floor is mounted on the roof and newly developed bogies are used to make SWIMO compact on the outside and spacious on the inside.

SWIMO can run on non-electrified sections. Now cities can enjoy the benefits of LRV without the overhead catenaries. Furthermore, connection and direct operation of existing separate lines is possible, eliminating the passengers’ hassle of changing trains. SWIMO is friendly to the environment, passengers, and railway operators.

This unit developed by Kawasaki ensures a steady and efficient supply of power from the battery and uses regenerative energy efficiently.