Saft Batteries Power Emergency Traction System On Moscow Metro Train

Battery systems power Moscow Metro’s emergency traction system to enable trains to reach the nearest station in the event of a power outage.

Saft said its MSX cells will provide emergency traction power for new rail cars destined for the Moscow Metro. The trains are built by Metrowagonmash (MWM), a company of Transmashholding (TMH), reportedly Russia’s largest train and coach manufacturer and the world’s fourth largest railway rolling stock developer and manufacturer. Saft said the project is Moscow Metro’s first use of onboard batteries to prevent trains being stranded between stations in the event of a power outage.

The batteries will enable trains to run on their own autonomous power for distances up to 6.5 km and on gradients of up to 4% – the maximum on the network.

Saft said its MSX nickel technology cells meet Metrowagonmash’s requirements for high safety and performance within tight size and weight limits.

“Adding emergency traction batteries to our metro cars is just the latest example of how Moscow is transforming its public transport network to be safer, more convenient and more comfortable for passengers,” said Maurice Leroy, advisor to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. “Our aim is to improve mobility and quality of life, while helping to drive economic development, making Moscow the world’s best city.”

Saft said it is starting to deliver batteries and accessories for the first trains being manufactured in 2020 under a contract that could eventually be extended to 1376 battery kits serving a total of 172 metro trains.

MWM and TMH developed the design of the battery systems jointly with Saft’s technical and support experts. The batteries are installed underneath the floor of the new Moskva-2020 coaches. The new trains will run on several of the city’s metro lines.

Saft said its MSX cells operate across a wide temperature range and will deliver specified performance up to -40°C for Moscow’s over ground sections, to withstand the extreme low temperatures of the Russian winter.

MSX cells are designed and manufactured at its factory in Bordeaux, France, with Saft Russia providing technical support throughout the project to ensure straightforward certification and import, as well as aftersales support.