Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to increasing the use of battery trains as a discontinuous electrification solution to decarbonising the railways; and what is their timescale for full-scale implementation.

The Government expects battery technology to play an important role in the decarbonisation of the railway. In the UK, battery trains are already being deployed by both Transport for Wales and Merseyrail, and we are working closely with colleagues in Network Rail to identify lines that may be suitable for further battery rollout in the future. Any decision on further battery rollout will need to be made in parallel with decisions on the necessary infrastructure to enable their operation, and we will continue to support their deployment where it makes operational, economic and affordable sense.