Turntide ramps up battery work with line expansion

An electrification and powertrain component firm says it is set to charge on with a manufacturing expansion.

Turntide Technologies is bolstering a rail battery system production line at its Sunderland plant.

The move comes just days after the business confirmed it was working on a multi-million-pound battery contract for Hitachi Rail.

The powerpacks will be fitted to £300 million Grand Central rolling stock, which is being built at Hitachi’s factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Bosses say Turntide Technolgies’ high-voltage lithium-iron-phosphate battery systems allow hybrid and tri-mode trains to operate across electrified and non-electrified lines while reducing fuel use and emissions.

Steve Hornyak, chief executive at Turntide Technologies, which also runs a Team Valley factory, said: “The global rail industry is moving quickly towards hybrid and tri-mode platforms.

“Our collaboration with Hitachi Rail reflects the strength of this market demand and the confidence in our battery technology.

“Expanding production at Sunderland gives us the capacity, capability and operational focus to support this next phase of growth.”

Hitachi Rail secured its nine-train Grand Central order last year, with officials pledging the 45-carriage venture will create 400,000 extra seats on services between the North East, Yorkshire and London every year from 2028 onwards.

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