Hybrid Streetcar Unveiled in Charlotte

ameriTRAM at Charlotte's Ninth Street trolley station

On January 20, Kinkisharyo International announced its hybrid-powered streetcar designed for North American markets had successfully completed testing on the LYNX Blue Line in Charlotte, N.C., and unveiled the first vehicle at a downtown Charlotte event. The streetcar – dubbed the ameriTRAM by the international railcar manufacturer – can operate both under the traditional catenary wire used by light-rail and streetcar systems, as well as under its own lithium-ion battery power for up to 5 miles, which is then recharged through a combination of catenary power and regenerative braking. By offering this dual power supply, the ameriTRAM can serve route segments where installing overhead electric power is costly, technically difficult, unsightly or prohibited by local ordinances, such as crossing a substantial bridge or navigating a historic district.

“Municipalities across the country have greater expectations of their urban transit solutions providers and the products and services they deliver,” said Rainer Hombach, vice president and general manager of Kinkisharyo International. “This new generation of streetcars must reduce capital investment and operational costs, improve environmental performance, offer greater aesthetics, enhance public safety and provide overall greater value.”

Beyond the innovative propulsion technology, the low-floor vehicle is also fully compliant with U.S. manufacturing and operating standards, including Buy America and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Moreover, the ameriTRAM is expandable to match future capacity needs by adding articulated passenger sections in the center of the vehicle – allowing streetcar routes to operate with light-rail passenger loads of up to 190 total in the ameriTRAM 700 version. The railcars can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour and travel in both exclusive rights-of-way as well as street-running trackage.

“The ameriTRAM is an important technology, not just for Charlotte, but for all of North America,” said Councilman David L. Howard of the Charlotte City Council. “We’re looking for new technologies to help preserve the characteristics of our city but also drive economic development.”

(For more information on Charlotte’s LYNX light rail, see RAIL #22.)

ameriTRAM operating over Charlotte's LYNX Blue Line light-rail tracks

Kinkisharyo International Vice President and General Manager Rainer Hombach introduces the ameriTRAM 

ameriTRAM vehicles can operate up to 5 miles under Li-ion Battery power

The ameriTRAM prototype undertook extensive testing on Charlotte's LYNX Blue Line