Alstom Initiating Battery Production for Indian Railways
Alstom plans to start manufacturing large batteries for railway systems in India within the next year. These batteries will be used to power various railway systems, including Vande Bharat trains and metro rail networks. “We are introducing batteries for traction and working hard to adapt these large, durable batteries for railway use,” said Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge. “We also plan to bring these technologies to India.”
Local Production and Facility Reconfiguration
Initially, the batteries will be imported from France, but Alstom aims to eventually produce them locally. The company’s Maneja facility in Gujarat, which currently makes rail components, will be reconfigured to manufacture these large batteries. Poupart-Lafarge highlighted that battery-powered trains are energy-efficient and help reduce carbon emissions. These trains, along with aluminium rolling stock, are key to Alstom’s future projects in India.
Commitment to Sustainable Transportation Solutions
Alstom, present in 64 countries with over 84,700 employees, generated revenues of €17.6 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. The company is committed to developing sustainable transportation solutions and has a significant presence in India with six industrial sites and five major engineering centres. Aligned with India’s ‘Make-in-India’ and AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiatives, Alstom supports the modernization of the country’s rail infrastructure and continues to be a strategic partner in enhancing freight and passenger transport.
