China's new carbon fiber subway completes trial operation

Lighter and more energy-efficient, a carbon fiber subway train with six carriages completed a test run, said CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co. on Wednesday.

A carbon fiber subway train consisting of six carriages completes its first test run. [Photo: IC]

The new generation of carriages is made of carbon fiber composite which reduces weight by 13%, and the use of a silicon carbide inverter and a permanent magnet synchronous traction motor can save 15% of the energy consumption, said Ding Sansan, deputy chief engineer of the company.

The train can run up to 140 kilometers per hour.

The windows of the carriages are touch screens allowing passengers to go online. De-noising equipment will reduce the noise inside carriages to less than five decibels.

The number of carriages is also switchable, ranging from two to twelve based on the passenger flow.

A staff member displays how to use the touch screen on the window of the carriage. [Photo: IC]

The inside of the carriage is seen. [Photo: IC]