- Upgrade to Saft Ni-Cd batteries will deliver new levels of reliability and performance
- A 110 V Saft MATRICS MRX battery will be installed on all four cars of the Flytoget train

Paris, July 8, 2008 – 

Saft has been selected by Bombardier Transportation to supply specialized MATRICS MRX nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) onboard battery systems for the upgrade of Flytoget’s Airport Express train - the high speed service connecting Oslo Airport, Gardemoen to Oslo, the capital of Norway. The high levels of performance, reliability and low maintenance provided by the Saft batteries will enable Bombardier Transportation to meet Flytoget’s stringent requirements for a reliable train service combined with optimized TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

The upgrade project is vital to provide additional passenger capacity for Flytoget’s service, which already carries around one third of all passengers using Oslo airport (4.9 million passengers used Flytoget in 2006). As a result, during 2008 each of Flytoget’s existing fleet of 16 three-car Bombardier BM71 EMUs (Electric Multiple Units) will have a new coach added to create four-car units. Saft is supplying both the battery systems for the 16 new cars as well as replacement battery systems for the 48 existing cars – a total of 64 battery systems.

A 110 V Saft battery system will be installed on all four cars of the Flytoget train. The primary role of the battery systems will be to supply emergency backup power for vital onboard systems such as lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, door opening and communications to maintain passenger comfort and safety in the case of mains power failure.

MRX batteries

Saft MATRICS MRX batteries are purpose designed for rail applications to deliver maximum performance, reliability and low TCO. They provide the low maintenance and long service life benefits of sintered/PBE technology within a slim, light-weight block battery package that shows a major size and volume advantage compared with conventional batteries.

The MATRICS MRX design is extremely reliable and does not suffer from the ‘sudden death’ which can affect some batteries, even in extreme temperatures ranging from -30° to +70°C.

Saft is supplying the MATRICS MRX batteries to Bombardier as part of a fully integrated battery system comprising 42 MRX 160 cells, with a nominal capacity of 160 Ah, housed in a custom designed battery box.

About Saft

Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry. Saft batteries are used in high performance applications such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, space and defence. Saft is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickelcadmium batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. The group is also the European leader for specialised advanced technologies for the defence and space industries. With approximately 3,900 employees worldwide, Saft is present in 18 countries. Its 15 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve its customers worldwide.

For more information, visit Saft at www.saftbatteries.com

Press contacts

Michael Lippert, Marketing Manager, Industrial Battery Group, Tel: +33 1 49 93 17 84;
e-mail:michael.lippert@saftbatteries.com

Jill Ledger, Saft Communications Director, Tel: + 33 1 49 93 17 77;
e-mail:jill.ledger@saftbatteries.com