The is a single-car

hybrid Hybrid may refer to: Science * Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding ** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species ** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...

diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. Diesel-powered single-unit railcars are also ...

(DMU) train type operated by

East Japan Railway Company The is a major passenger railway company in Japan and is the largest of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR-EAST or JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are ...

(JR East) on the

Koumi Line The is a railway line in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It links Kobuchizawa Station in Hokuto, Yamanashi with Komoro Station in Komoro, Nagano, and extends 78.9 km (49.0 mi) through the mountains with a total of 3 ...

in Japan. Three cars were delivered in April 2007, entering revenue service from 31 July 2007. The body design is based on the earlier

KiHa E130 series The is a class of diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains operated since January 2007 by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan. Variants * KiHa E130-0 series: Single-car and two-car units used on the Suigun Line since January 2007 * Ki ...

DMUs, but with two single doors per side instead of three pairs of doors. The cars incorporate hybrid

diesel Diesel may refer to: * Diesel engine, an internal combustion engine where ignition is caused by compression * Diesel fuel, a liquid fuel used in diesel engines * Diesel locomotive, a railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engin ...

battery Battery most often refers to: * Electric battery, a device that provides electrical power * Battery (crime), a crime involving unlawful physical contact Battery may also refer to: Energy source *Automotive battery, a device to provide power t ...

technology developed on the earlier "

NE Train The (New Energy Train) was an experimental railcar which has been used to test a number of alternative power sources by the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) and East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan since 2003. History KiY ...

" experimental hybrid car, and were intended to operate for a period of two years on the Koumi Line to evaluate the viability for full-scale fleet operation. Two cars are normally used together on services on the line.

Hybrid operation cycle

On starting from standstill, energy stored in

lithium-ion batteries A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery which uses the reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy. It is the predominant battery type used in portable consumer electronics and electric vehicles. It also se ...

is used to drive the motors, with the engine cut out. The engine then cuts in for further acceleration and running on gradients. When running down gradients, the motor acts as a generator, recharging the batteries. The engine is also used for braking.

Interior

The passenger saloons are arranged with 1+2 abreast transverse seating and longitudinal bench seating at the car ends. Each car includes a wheelchair-compatible toilet.

References

External links

JR East KiHa E200 Information

(Japan Railfan Magazine) {{JR East EMU East Japan Railway Company Train-related introductions in 2007 Hybrid multiple units of Japan