As TRA's first new electric locomotives since 1992, the new trains are part of a 10-year, $3.5 billion investment plan. They will be built to protect passenger safety even in the event of typhoon-force rain and gale-force winds.
Milan Sima, managing director of the rail division at Saft, said: "We know that TRA and Toshiba's core values are safety, punctuality, service, and innovation. Saft recommended the MRX systems to Toshiba because of the reliability, safety, and long lifespan of these batteries."
In service, the battery systems will provide TRA with a low total cost of ownership (TCO) thanks to their minimal maintenance requirements and resistance to high temperatures. This latter point is important for Taiwan's climate—its highest recorded temperature is 40.2°C.
The high-quality materials used in the battery systems are designed to resist corrosion that might otherwise occur in the humid conditions of Taiwan's rainy season. Furthermore, as nickel-based batteries, the MRX cells are not susceptible to the sudden failure that can affect lead-acid batteries.
Saft's MRX cells are manufactured in Bordeaux to provide backup power for loads such as onboard signaling, lighting, control systems, pantograph operation, and passenger comfort.
