Leclanché SA has supplied its INT-53 ENERGY battery packs for a new hybrid track repair locomotive which has recently been deployed in the Madrid Metro system. This marks the first time lithium-ion battery technology has been integrated into the metro system’s infrastructure.

This further demonstrates Leclanché’s continued growth outside the automotive industry.

The Madrid Metro spans 269 kilometers across 12 lines, serving approximately 2.25 million passengers daily. This new hybrid locomotive is a milestone in the system’s ongoing efforts to modernise and reduce its carbon footprint.

This contract underscores Leclanché’s strategic development of its presence outside the passenger automotive EV markets, emphasizing its focus on sectors distinct from the volatile EV automotive industry and more on heavy duty batteries.

Leclanché primarily operates in the marine and rail sectors, which have fundamentally different dynamics, including longer project cycles, higher upfront capital expenditures, and potential of more sustainable and profitable growth. This focus allows Leclanché to leverage its expertise in providing robust and reliable energy storage solutions for industrial and heavy-duty applications.

Uromac, a road-rail vehicle manufacturer based in Northwestern Spain, custom-built this specialized locomotive. Designed to enhance the efficiency and safety of track maintenance operations, it features a maintenance platform, a crane, rail brakes, and a pressurized air-conditioned cabin for up to six workers.

Uromac selected Leclanché’s INT-53 ENERGY packs due to their superior energy density, robust safety features, and modular, scalable design. These battery packs are ideal for partially or non-electrified rail routes, providing a reliable and eco-friendly power source for the locomotive. Leclanché and Uromac collaborated with engineering firm SGI (Soluciones Generales de Ingenieria SL) on this project.

Leclanché’s strategic focus on heavy-duty applications, particularly in marine and rail, sets it apart from EV battery providers. By emphasizing robust and reliable energy storage solutions, Leclanché has positioned itself as a leader in markets where battery performance and longevity are crucial. This focus allows Leclanché to serve sectors that demand higher resilience and reliability, diverging from the competitive pressures of the automotive EV market.