Turntide Technologies has secured a significant order from Hitachi Rail to supply its Gen 2 lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems. These batteries will power the new intercity battery (tri-mode) trains being built for Arriva’s Grand Central and Angel Trains, marking a landmark moment as they will be the first new battery trains manufactured in the UK.
Hitachi Rail is set to place orders worth nearly £10 million with Turntide Technologies, covering ongoing research and development and the supply of the advanced LFP batteries. This commitment will create valuable backlog and pipeline for Turntide Technologies in the coming years and is expected to lead to an expansion of their Gateshead facility.
The next-generation LFP batteries are designed to be both smaller and more powerful than previous lithium-ion counterparts. In addition to the battery systems themselves, Turntide’s solution includes an advanced battery management system. This system features Safety Integrity Level 2 functional safety, complying with IEC 61508 to detect and mitigate hazards from system failures, and also meets IEC 62243 cybersecurity standards, ensuring safe, secure, and reliable performance for next-generation mobility.
With Turntide based in Gateshead and Hitachi Rail’s factory in Newton Aycliffe, this continued partnership reinforces the growth of the North East’s battery sector within rolling stock manufacturing. Both companies believe that new battery trains, alongside retrofitting batteries onto existing trains, present a substantial and long-term advanced manufacturing and industrial opportunity for the UK.
This investment in cutting-edge battery technology is particularly poignant as it coincides with the 200th anniversary of the railways originating in the North East, underscoring the region’s ongoing leadership in shaping the future of transport.
Industry Minister Sarah Jones said: “This is great news for the North East’s thriving advanced manufacturing sector, and it’s fitting that this comes in the 200th anniversary of the railways being born in the region. Pioneering battery technologies are key to keeping U.K. industry at the forefront of innovation, and our modern Industrial Strategy will drive growth in sectors like these and support good, skilled jobs as part of our Plan for Change.”
Steve Hornyak, CEO of Turntide Technologies, said: “This is a major win for Turntide. Our collaborative relationship with Hitachi Rail transitions from strength to strength and being selected for this milestone project reflects the quality and innovation of our electrification technology. As battery-electric trains gain global momentum, we’re honored to support a project that represents not just regional progress, but a broader shift toward sustainable transport across continents. In the year that marks 200 years of rail, it’s fitting that our region remains at the forefront of transport innovation, helping shape a more sustainable future for passengers, operators, and the environment.”
Koji Agatsuma, Chief Technology Officer Vehicles, Hitachi Rail said: “Our additional £10 million investment into Turntide Technologies demonstrates our commitment to North East battery innovation. Battery trains aren’t just about delivering greener, quieter journeys—they also create a new advanced manufacturing opportunity and unlock energy optimization through vehicle-to-grid technology. As we celebrate 200 years of Stockton-Darlington railway, it’s fitting that Northern passengers will ride trains built in Newton Aycliffe, powered by cutting-edge battery technology from Gateshead. I hope our partnership with Turntide Technologies can inspire the next generation of rail innovation.”
Paul Hutchings, Managing Director of Arriva UK Trains’ Rail Services, said: “We’re extremely proud of our roots in the North East, so we’re thrilled that the technologically advanced batteries for our new fleet of trains for Grand Central will also be manufactured there. This is an important milestone on our decarbonization journey allowing us to operate on electrified and non-electrified tracks across the country. This partnership in developing state-of-the-art technology will reduce emissions and fuel usage, while giving passengers a more comfortable experience.”
This latest development further strengthens Turntide’s long-standing relationship with Hitachi Rail. In 2020, Turntide signed an exclusive agreement to design and supply traction battery systems for Hitachi Rail, which led to the successful completion of the UK’s first intercity battery train trial in 2024. The two companies have also collaborated on developing smaller, next-generation battery technology using LFP chemistry, a crucial advancement for achieving inclusive train design, particularly in lower floor rolling stock where space is limited.
