In a press release, Germany-based train manufacturer Bombardier Transportation -- a division of Canadian firm Bombardier Incorporated -- has disclosed that it has signed an agreement with Swiss battery maker Leclanché, for the supply of battery systems to be used in rail transport. The agreement indicates that Leclanché will be Bombardier’s preferred worldwide supplier of battery systems for rail transport.

As per the agreement, Leclanché will supply lithium-ion batteries to Bombardier. The potential business volume of the ‘battery system supply’ agreement between Bombardier and Leclanché is projected to be more than EUR 100 million over the next five years.

Going by the details shared in the press release, the battery systems to be supplied by Leclanché will comprise battery modules and battery pack technology.

Under the agreement, battery systems will be provided by Leclanché for nearly ten different rail projects to be undertaken by Bombardier. Overall, Bombardier intends using the Leclanché battery systems across its extensive portfolio of trains.

About Bombardier’s battery-supply agreement with Leclanché, Frédéric Hendrick -- Bombardier’s Head of Module Center Energy & Motion -- said that Bombardier’s traction technology and “Leclanché’s ability to cover the complete value chain” is expected to facilitate the electrification of all types of trains. Hendrick also added that the Bombardier-Leclanché partnership will increase the autonomy of trains on the non-electrified part of the rail network.