EV-E301 series

The EV-E301 series (EV-E301系) is a two-car battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on the Karasuyama Line and Tohoku Main Line since 15 March 2014.^[2] The train goes by the nickname "Accum" (Akyumu).^[3]

EV-E301 series
Set V1 in service in October 2023
Manufacturer	J-TREC
Built at	Yokohama
Family name	Accum
Replaced	KiHa 40 series
Constructed	2014
Entered service	15 March 2014
Number built	8 vehicles (4 sets)
Number in service	8 vehicles (4 sets)
Formation	2 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	V1–V4
Capacity	265 per set
Operators	JR East
Depots	Oyama
Lines served	Karasuyama Line, Tohoku Main Line
Specifications
Car length	20,000 mm (65 ft 7+3⁄8 in)
Width	2,800 mm (9 ft 2+1⁄4 in)
Floor height	1,130 mm (3 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Doors	3 pairs per side
Maximum speed	65 km/h (40 mph) (service) 100 km/h (62 mph) (design)
Traction system	Mitsubishi IGBT-VVVF
Acceleration	2.0 km/(h⋅s) (1.2 mph/s)[1]
Deceleration	3.6 km/(h⋅s) (2.2 mph/s)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead line
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
Bogies	DT79 (motored), TR255D (trailer)
Safety system(s)	ATS-P
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Overview

Developed from the experimental "Smart Denchi-kun" battery railcar tested on the Karasuyama Line in 2012, the two-car EV-E301 series train operates as an electric multiple unit (EMU) under the 1,500 V DC overhead wire of the Tohoku Main Line between Utsunomiya and Hōshakuji, and on battery power over the 20.4 km (12.7 mi) non-electrified Karasuyama Line. It can also be recharged via its pantographs at a recharging facility specially built at Karasuyama Station.^[3]

The two-car trainsets are equipped with 190 kWh lithium-ion storage batteries,^[3] and the train has a maximum design speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), although it normally runs at up to 65 km/h (40 mph) at service.^[4]

• 
  Set V1 running under overhead wires on the Tohoku Line in March 2014
• 
  Set V1 being recharged at Karasuyama Station in March 2014

Formation

The two-car trains are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Utsunomiya end.^[3]

Car No.	1	2
Designation	Mc'	Mc
Type	EV-E300	EV-E301
Weight (t)	37.7	40.2
Passenger capacity (seated/total)	48/133	48/133

The Mc car has two PS38 single-arm pantographs.^[3]

Interior

Internally, the train uses LED lighting throughout.^[3] Seating accommodation consists of longitudinal bench seating.^[3] The train is not equipped with a toilet.^[4]

• 
  View of the interior
• 
  Priority seating
• 
  Equipment room and free space
• 
  Driver's cab
• 
  LCD display

Bogies

Each car is mounted on a TR255D non-powered trailer bogie at the outer end, and a DT79 motored bogie at the inner end.^[3]

• 
  TR233D trailer bogie
• 
  DT79 motor bogie

History

The first set, V1, on delivery from J-TREC in January 2014

The first set, V1, was delivered from the Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC) factory in Yokohama on 21 January 2014.^[5] Test running commenced on 23 January, on the Utsunomiya Line, including running on battery power with the pantographs lowered.^[6] It entered revenue service on the Karasuyama Line from the start of the revised timetable on 15 March 2014.^[2]

In May 2015, the EV-E301 series was awarded the 2015 Laurel Prize, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.^[7] A presentation ceremony was held at Karasuyama Station on 26 September 2015.^[8]

A further three two-car EV-E301 series trainsets were delivered to Utsunomiya from the J-TREC factory in Yokohama in February 2017.^[9] These entered service from the start of the revised timetable on 4 March 2017, replacing the remaining diesel multiple-unit trains operating on the Karasuyama Line.^[10]

See also

• Smart BEST, a self-charging BEMU train developed by Kinki Sharyo in 2012
• BEC819 series, an AC BEMU introduced by JR Kyushu in 2016
• EV-E801 series, an AC BEMU introduced by JR East on the Oga Line in 2017