UK’s first rapid-charging battery train ready for boarding this weekend
The UK’s first superfast-charging train running only on battery power will come into passenger service this weekend – operating a five-mile return route in west London,Great Western Railway (GWR) will send the converted London Underground train out from 5,30am to cover the full Saturday timetable on the West Ealing to Greenford branch line, four stops and 12 minutes each way, and now carrying up to 273 passengers, should its celebrity stoke up the demand,The battery will recharge in just three and a half minutes back at West Ealing station between trips, using a 2,000kW charger connected to a few metres of rail that only becomes live when the train stops directly overhead,There are hopes within government and industry that this technology could one day replace diesel trains on routes that have proved difficult or expensive to electrify with overhead wires, as the decarbonisation of rail continues.
The train has proved itself capable of going more than 200 miles on a single charge – last year setting a world record for the farthest travelled by a battery-electric train, smashing a German record set in 2021.The GWR train and the fast-charge technology has been trialled on the 2.5-mile line since early 2024, but has not yet carried paying passengers.GWR’s engineering director, Simon Green, said: “This is a significant moment for all those involved in this innovative project and comes at a crucial time as we focus on plans to replace our ageing diesel fleet.“Our fast-charge trial has successfully demonstrated that battery technology offers a reliable and efficient alternative to power electric trains, in cases where overhead lines aren’t possible or desirable.
”Network Rail’s western route director, Marcus Jones, whose teams installed the fast-charge infrastructure, said the trial had shown “how promising this technology is and today marks another important milestone for the industry”.“Rail is already the greenest form of public transport, and battery‑powered trains will play a crucial role in our commitment to a low‑emission railway and ambition to reach net‑zero by 2050,” he said.Hybrid battery-electric trains, running on battery where power lines are not available, are already established in Japan and elsewhere.Merseyrail also has trains running a short distance on batteries, but primarily powered and recharging from a third rail.However, the rapid charging technology used in the new GWR service means trains can be built using batteries alone, which are safer for the public than using a high-voltage third rail, and have less impact on local electricity grids.
The electrification of the Great Western mainline was ended in 2020, curtailed due to its enormous cost overruns.GWR believes the technology could now allow it to switch away from diesel on much longer routes in south-west England.
Trump nominates Kevin Warsh as next Fed chair; eurozone economy keeps growing – business live
The identity of the next person to run America’s central bank – and face firm pressure from Donald Trump to cut interest rates – could be revealed today.President Trump told reporters last night that he would announce a successor to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday morningTrump hinted that it would be “somebody that could have been there a few years ago ... I think it’s going to be a very good choice
Donald Trump nominates Kevin Warsh as chair of Federal Reserve
Donald Trump has announced Kevin Warsh as his nomination for the next chair of the Federal Reserve.Writing on his Truth Social platform, the president said: “I have known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best.”The move ends months of speculation about who Trump would pick to replace Jerome Powell as head of the US central bank, amid an extraordinary attempt by the president to influence policymaking by repeatedly calling for rate cuts.Warsh, 55, a former Federal Reserve governor who has deep ties to Wall Street, had previously interviewed for the job of chair in 2017 when the role went to Powell, whose term ends in May.Warsh has given past warnings of inflation risks in the US, although has more recently echoed the president’s criticism of the Fed for being too slow to cut interest rates
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Apple reports massive spike in iPhone revenue, particularly in China
Apple released its first quarter earnings on Thursday, exceeding Wall Street’s expectations and seeing its revenue skyrocket 16% from the same time last year.“Apple is proud to report a remarkable, record-breaking quarter, with revenue of $143.8bn,” Tim Cook, the company’s CEO, said in a statement. “iPhone had its best-ever quarter driven by unprecedented demand, with all-time records across every geographic segment.”The tech titan’s reported revenue went far beyond analyst’s forecasts of $138
Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner: Australian Open 2026 semi-final – live
Third set: *Djokovic 3-6, 6-2, 0-1 Sinner (*next server)A few more struggles for Sinner on serve in the second set, but he gets through this one with little trouble. Blink and you’ll miss it.Hello, it’s like the boys get the briefing today about the need for a bit of drama. Djokovic, who has nipped off court for a quick ‘outfit change’, is keeping Sinner waiting ahead of the third set. Sinner to serve
Alexander Zverev fumes over Alcaraz’s timeout for cramp in semi-final thriller
A weary Alexander Zverev described the decision to allow a medical timeout for a cramping Carlos Alcaraz in their epic Australian Open semi-final as “bullshit”, but didn’t want the matter to take the focus off the quality of Friday’s memorable encounter.The German failed to capitalise on breaks in the second and fifth sets, as the world No 1 rallied from his physical ailments to win 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4) 7-5 in five hours and 27 minutes.Tournament rules allow medical timeouts for injuries but not muscle cramps. However, the decision is left to the attending physio and doctor.Alcaraz clutched at the inside of his right groin late in the third set and was moving gingerly – indicating either cramp or a more severe injury – and was allowed a medical timeout after seeking attention from the physio
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