Saft to supply battery systems for 130 new trains for the Chengdu Metro in China

• Saft MSX nickel-technology battery systems will provide onboard critical backup power for 130 new trains on Lines 5, 8 and 9 of the Chengdu Metro.
• Multi-million-euro order was placed by CRRC, the Chinese train manufacturer.

Paris, March 14^th 2019 – Saft is delivering onboard battery systems for 130 new trains destined for Lines 5, 8 and 9 of the Chengdu Metro as part of a multi-million-euro, two-year contract for CRRC, the Chinese rolling stock manufacturer. The compact design of the Saft MSX nickel-technology battery systems has enabled CRRC to free up space and reduce weight on the new trains while ensuring reliable backup power for critical control, safety and passenger comfort systems should there be any interruption to the main power supply.

“The new MSX generation batteries are even more compact, freeing up more space for passengers.”

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province of western China, an important commercial center with a population of 11 million. Construction of the metro began in 2005, with the combined aim of upgrading urban infrastructure and improving the standard of living. The network is being designed to cope with massive passenger demand. By 2035, it is expected to carry over 14 million passengers every day with 21 lines and a total track length of 714 km.

Saft is supplying CRRC with a total of 434 MSX battery systems to be fitted to the 130 new Chengdu Metro trains. Each train on Lines 5 and 9 will be fitted with four battery systems while two battery systems will be fitted on the Line 8 trains. Performance and reliability of all the onboard systems is even more critical on Line 9, as it will be the first to have driverless operation.

The onboard battery systems will provide up to 45 minutes of backup power. On the Line 5 and 8 trains the batteries will also deliver emergency traction power that will enable stranded trains to travel short distances of up to 2 km to reach the nearest station.

The MSX design is up to 40 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than other nickel-based batteries, while offering high-power performance, minimal maintenance and exceptional reliability that has enabled CRRC to meet its objectives for low lifetime costs.

Saft’s MSX cells are designed and manufactured in its Bordeaux factory in France and assembled by CRRC in China. Saft started its first deliveries in 2017 with completion scheduled by the end of 2019.

For more information on Saft rail batteries, watch our video: 

About Saft 

Saft specializes in advanced technology battery solutions for industry, from the design and development to the production, customization and service provision. For 100 years, Saft’s longer-lasting batteries and systems have provided critical safety applications, back-up power and propulsion for our customers. Our innovative, safe and reliable technology delivers high performance on land, at sea, in the air and in space. Saft is powering industry and smarter cities while providing critical back-up functionality in remote and harsh environments from the Arctic Circle to the Sahara Desert. Saft is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Total, a leading international oil and gas company and a major player in low-carbon energies.

We energize the world.  www.saftbatteries.com

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Press Contacts

Saft

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Tel.: +33 1 58 63 16 60, e-mail: karen.hollington@saftbatteries.com

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Tel.: +33 1 58 63 16 92, e-mail: diana.mejia@saftbatteries.com

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