An "HC85" series new limited express train is seen at JR Nagoya Station on Aug. 24, 2021. (Mainichi/Shiho Sakai)

       NAGOYA -- Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Central) will introduce Japan's first diesel-battery hybrid train that runs at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour in fiscal 2022.

       The railway operator held a test-ride event for the media on Aug. 24 ahead of the new model's launch.

       The new "HC85" series hybrid limited express trains will succeed the "85" series diesel cars, which are currently used for the limited express trains "Hida" and "Nanki."

       The hybrid train runs using motors driven jointly by power from diesel engines and electricity stored in the rechargeable battery. While the 85 series trains, which were introduced 32 years ago, have two diesel engines each, the HC85 series trains hold an engine and a rechargeable battery each.

       During the test-ride event, the train ran between Unuma Station in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, and Nagoya Station in Aichi Prefecture at a maximum speed of nearly 120 kph. With less engine noise and vibrations inside the train, the quality of the ride has improved from the 85 series.

       According to JR Central, the new train is about 35% more energy efficient and emits some 30% less carbon dioxide than its predecessor. It also carries a constant monitoring system including data on engines and other components, and detects any signs of internal problems. The cost to introduce 64 of the new cars totals some 31 billion yen (about $282 million).

       The company's train car department manager Takashi Sugiyama said, "We will keep introducing and pursuing the latest technologies so that the trains will be loved by tourists and local people."

       (Japanese original by Shiho Sakai, Nagoya News Center)

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