Battery power could cut intercity train fuel costs by 35-50%, according to the UK’s first trial of the technology.

The trains, developed by Hitachi Rail, are designed to run on 100% battery power for up to 100km. At this range, the battery technology could be deployed to cover the final non-electrified sections of the UK’s intercity routes in the coming years.

In the latest test, a 700kW battery managed to power the train to speeds greater than 75mph (120km/h), which means it can enter and exit stations in zero-emission battery mode to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution.

The battery is roughly the weight of a diesel engine and is installed in the same undercarriage space. Hitachi Rail said this ensured the track underneath would not degrade faster than that under diesel trains.

During trials, the battery powered the train for a mile before and after stations, and switched back to diesel for the other sections of the journey.

The trial indicates that a single battery can achieve...