Arriva Group ordered battery hybrid trains

Arriva Group has announced an order of nine five-car battery hybrid trains (electricity, battery, diesel, EBDMU) by Hitachi Rail to replace its entire Grand Central fleet of DMUs. The order for tri-mode units along with a 10-year maintenance contract represents an investment of around 300 million GBP. 

It follows approval by the rail regulator for extended track access rights for Grand Central’s existing services through to 2038, with the investment "underpinning Arriva’s long-term commitment to UK rail and to delivering sustainable public transport solutions to communities up and down the country and across Europe." The trains will be built at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe works. The battery element of the order unlocks a new manufacturing opportunity for the factory, and wider supply chain. The order supports both the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and mission for economic growth, cementing the North East’s role as UK battery hub. 

The new trains will increase seat numbers by 20 % which means 400,000 additional seats per year will be available to passengers travelling between the North East, Yorkshire and London.  Because of their tri-mode capability the trains could be used on other routes in the future. They are also expected to reduce both emissions and noise. The trains will be delivered in 2028 under a 10-year leasing arrangement, in partnership and financed by Angel Trains. 

Jim Brewin, Hitachi Rail Chief Director of UK & Ireland, said: “As we celebrate 200 years since the birth of the modern railway in the North East, it’s symbolic that innovative battery trains are being developed in Newton Aycliffe. Battery trains’ ability to deliver cheaper, greener, and more reliable journeys means we are unlocking a new advanced manufacturing opportunity for rail today. Following the successful trial of this pioneering battery technology last year, Arriva and Angel Trains are transforming Hitachi’s 17 million GBP R&D investment into the first battery train order to be built in the UK.”

The pioneering technology will cut emissions and fuel consumption by around 30 %. The trains can enter and exit stations in zero-emission battery mode, helping improve air quality and reduce noise in urban centres. The new trains will include 20 % more seats than existing rolling stock. Travellers will also benefit from more luggage storage, in-seat power and an electronic reservation system.

Arriva has welcomed the swift decision-making by the regulator, the ORR (Office of Rail and Road) and the backing of the Department for Transport and Network Rail to extend its track access rights. It has two further outstanding applications currently under consideration, which if granted, would extend existing routes to bring direct rail services to under-served communities in the UK. The Group also has an option to buy more trains if applications are approved.

Grand Central has been running services on the East Coast mainline since 2007 as an open access operator. In March 2025, Arriva formally applied to the ORR to expand its Grand Central Services into Lincolnshire from 2026, providing the first direct train service from Cleethorpes to London since 1992. It is also seeking approval for proposals for two extra daily return services between Bradford and London and an early morning and late evening return from York to London, together with services to Seaham in Country Durham, which would be the town’s first and only direct connection to the Capital.

Arriva Group’s train operators include Grand Central, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry and Arriva Rail London. It is the only owning group with experience of all contract types currently in use on Britain’s railway, including national rail contracts, a concessionary contract and an open access company. Arriva also supports the critical maintenance of rolling stock through Arriva Train Care and provides rail replacement services through Arriva Road Transport Solutions. It also owns a digital smart ticketing platform, Arriva Customer Engine.