Japan
In Japan, JR East tested a "NE Train Smart Denchi-kun" battery electric railcar from 2009. This vehicle is capable of running under 1,500 V DC overhead wires or on battery power alone a distance of up to 50 km away from an overhead power supply. The batteries are charged via the pantograph either when running under an overhead electric supply or at a specially built recharging facility.
From spring 2014, a two-car battery electric multiple unit, the EV-E301 series, is scheduled to enter revenue service on the 20 km long non-electrified Karasuyama Line. This too is capable of running as an EMU under 1,500 V DC overhead wires or on battery power alone on non-electrified lines.
Read more about this topic: Accumulator Railcar
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“I do not know that the United States can save civilization but at least by our example we can make people think and give them the opportunity of saving themselves. The trouble is that the people of Germany, Italy and Japan are not given the privilege of thinking.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)