Hitachi Rail and Hitachi Energy will provide the Grid-eMotion® Flash charging system for the LAM Rossa line in Vicenza.
This new public road transport line will connect the western and eastern parts of the city, forming part of the High-Speed Rail Verona-Padua crossing project in Vicenza.
The Verona-Padua high-speed rail project was commissioned by RFI and awarded to the IRICAVDUE Consortium (General Contractor), which includes Hitachi Rail, Partecipazioni Italia, Webuild Italia, Lamaro Appalti, and Fintecna.
In July, the consortium signed a supplemental agreement with RFI to begin the design and construction of the Second Functional Section of the 6.2-kilometre-long Vicenza crossing.
This agreement also included the development of a new public road transport line spanning over 10 km with 36 stops. Ten of these stops, including the two termini, will be equipped with Hitachi Energy’s innovative ultra-fast Grid-eMotion Flash charging system.
Cutting-Edge Technology for Seamless Public Transport Electrification
The Grid-eMotion system enables full vehicle charging in less than 4 minutes at the termini and under 20 seconds at intermediate stops, ensuring no impact on schedules or service speed.
This is achieved through a smart pantograph mounted on the roof of the buses, which autonomously connects to the charging infrastructure in just one second.
Additionally, placing the batteries on the roof maximises passenger space, allowing the buses to transport up to 1,500 passengers per hour per direction.
This technology offers a sustainable solution that reduces environmental impact while enhancing service quality and flexibility.
An Integrated “One Hitachi” Approach
This project highlights Hitachi’s integrated market approach, leveraging synergies across its technologies and businesses under the “One Hitachi” model.
This collaborative effort positions Hitachi as a comprehensive partner for developing complex, multi-faceted projects.
“Equipping cities with integrated, efficient, and sustainable public transport systems is a key goal for Hitachi Rail. The new flash charging solution we propose as One Hitachi marks a significant milestone for Vicenza’s mobility. Once completed, the project will provide residents and tourists with improved connections to high-speed and interregional rail lines, benefiting the city’s collective mobility in the medium and long term,” said Domenico Lanciotto, General Manager of Italy, Central, Eastern & Southern Europe & Latin America – LoB Rail Control, Hitachi Rail.
Global Applications of Grid-eMotion Technology
Grid-eMotion solutions are already operational or in development across Australia, Canada, India, the Middle East, the United States, and European countries such as Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, and France.
The first Italian implementation will take place in Genoa on the Valbisagno line, part of the “4 Assi di Forza” project.
This technology has already delivered millions of service hours worldwide, facilitating the daily transportation of millions of passengers.
“Together with Hitachi Rail, we will equip Vicenza with a modern urban transport infrastructure featuring efficient, zero-emission vehicles. The electrification of public transport can help reduce carbon emissions, traffic, and noise pollution in the metropolitan area, thereby improving citizens’ quality of life. All this is achieved without compromising travel times or service frequency. As a leading technology provider, we collaborate with clients and partners to enable a sustainable energy future for current and future generations,” stated Filippo Passante, Grid Integration Operating Unit Manager, Hitachi Energy in Italy.
