The new state-of-the-art class 423 metro train set is the latest result of advanced European rail research, producing 56% less CO2 than the 35-year-old vehicle it replaces. Procured by Deutsche Bahn, the new train is a lightweight compared to its predecessor, weighing only 105 tonnes instead of 140. Reduced dead weight saves some 25% of specifi c energy consumption, while regenerative braking accounts for further savings of up to 31%. Compare this with developments in the automobile industry, where vehicles are getting heavier and little improvement is being seen in their effi ciency. For instance, the new version of.
