Transforming Rail Travel: Škoda Group and Hitachi Energy’s Semiconductor business Partnership Driving Sustainable Mobility

From Diesel to Battery Power: The RegioPanter Revolution
Škoda Group, in collaboration with Hitachi Energy’s Semiconductors business, is driving the shift from conventional diesel trains to battery‑electric mobility with the BEMU RegioPanter platform. Designed for operation on partially electrified routes, these trains seamlessly transition between overhead‑line power and onboard battery operation.

Hitachi Energy’s SiC LinPak modules are integrated into the traction and power converter systems of the BEMU RegioPanters, where they handle high‑voltage power switching and conversion with high efficiency and reliability. This advanced semiconductor technology enables smooth transitions between electrified and non‑electrified track sections, eliminating the need for diesel operation and providing passengers with a quieter, smoother, and more efficient journey without any noticeable change during operation.

Enhancing Passenger Comfort and Reducing Environmental Impact
Battery‑electric trains significantly reduce the number of train changes required on routes that combine electrified and non‑electrified sections. BEMU RegioPanters can operate the entire line without interruption, improving passenger comfort while allowing operators to reduce fleet complexity and the total number of trains in service.

Equipped with three battery packs mounted on the roof, the BEMU RegioPanters can cover distances of up to 80 km in battery mode at speeds of up to 120 km/h. Continuous recharging takes place while driving under overhead traction at speeds of up to 160 km/h or through energy recovery during braking. The high efficiency of the SiC LinPak semiconductor modules supports this energy management concept, making battery‑powered trains one of the cleanest alternatives to traditional diesel vehicles for regional rail transport.

The introduction of battery‑electric trains forms part of a broader strategy to modernize rail infrastructure, including further electrification and the rollout of the European Train Control System (ETCS). Together, these measures aim to reduce environmental impact while improving regional mobility, positioning Škoda Group as a leader in sustainable rail solutions, supported by advanced semiconductor technology from Hitachi Energy.

About the Product: HV LinPak
High-Voltage (HV) LinPak is part of Hitachi Energy’s power semiconductor portfolio and is designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern railway traction and medium‑voltage converter applications. Following the successful establishment of the Low Voltage (LV) LinPak variant (Viso = 6 kV) as a new standard in railway applications, the platform now includes a High Voltage variant with an isolation voltage of up to 10.2 kV.

Despite the increased isolation capability, HV LinPak retains the key features that made the Low Voltage version successful: a phase‑leg configuration with very low stray inductance, high current density, and optimized separation of DC and AC terminals for ideal busbar and gate‑drive design. The module supports both Silicon Integrated‑Gate Bipolar Thyristor (Si IGBT) and Silicon Carbide Metal‑Oxide‑Semiconductor Field‑Effect Transistor (SiC MOSFET) dies with blocking voltages of 3.3 kV, 4.5 kV, and 6.5 kV, making HV LinPak a versatile and future‑proof solution for next‑generation medium‑voltage traction converters.

Comment from Škoda Group
“Thanks to the SiC LinPak module from Hitachi Energy, Škoda Group is pioneering a new era of travel on non‑electrified lines in Central Europe, delivering a cleaner and more efficient solution for passengers.”