In a significant move for the global electric vehicle (EV) industry, China Railway has commenced its first large-scale trial transportation of lithium batteries via rail. On Tuesday, three trains loaded with lithium batteries departed from Chongqing Municipality, Sichuan Province, and Guizhou Province in southwest China.
As the world’s largest producer of lithium batteries, China is pioneering new methods to transport these vital components more efficiently. Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods due to the risk of fire or explosion if jolted, and have traditionally been transported only by sea or road.
“For the trial run, we are using a new type of container designed solely for the transport of lithium batteries. The containers are made of non-combustible materials and equipped with smoke and temperature detectors and venting devices,” explained Jia Ping, deputy general manager of China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd.
Rail transport offers a promising alternative by providing greater capacity than road transport and faster delivery times compared to sea routes. This development is expected to significantly facilitate the export of Chinese lithium batteries.
The trial has been welcomed by industry leaders like CATL, a major Chinese battery manufacturer. “This trial rail transportation is further recognition of the safety performance of domestic lithium batteries,” said Liu Jie, who is in charge of CATL’s supply chains and logistics. “Rail transport opens up a new channel for the efficient transportation of lithium batteries. It will boost our exports by reducing logistics costs and improving logistics efficiency.”
The successful implementation of rail transport for lithium batteries could mark a new chapter in the EV supply chain, enhancing global distribution and meeting the growing demand for electric vehicles worldwide.
Reference(s):
China Railway launches rail transport trial for EV batteries
cgtn.com
