Leclanché SA revolutionary battery pack is selected by Socofer to equip brand new hybrid maintenance locomotives in the Channel Tunnel

• French railway equipment manufacturer Socofer supplies Eurotunnel 19 hybrid locomotives to pull maintenance convoys across the Channel Tunnel
• Leclanché’s INT-53 Energy battery pack has been chosen for its high level of quality and security in a demanding environment
• INT-53 Energy battery pack has successfully passed stringent tests and all international fire safety norms and certification

YVERDON-LES-BAINS, Switzerland, 28 June 2023 – Leclanché SA (SIX: LECN), a world leading provider of energy storage solutions, has been chosen by Socofer to equip its maintenance locomotives for the Channel Tunnel. The Leclanché INT-53 battery pack, currently used by rail manufacturers in Europe and North America for railway traction applications in both fully electrified and hybrid configurations, was selected by Socofer due to its quality, safety features, and compliance with international standards.

The INT-53 battery pack meets all safety requirements for use in demanding environments such as the Channel Tunnel, including the standards of no flames, no explosions, and no battery components projected out of the pack. Additionally, the battery pack fully complies with all norms related to thermal propagation.

Leclanché's expertise in containing any thermal runaway event within the battery was also a significant factor in Socofer's decision to choose the INT-53. Socofer is supplying Eurotunnel with 19 hybrid locomotives, which will be used to pull maintenance wagons on the railroad line linking the UK and France under the English Channel.

Bertrand Hallé, Socofer CEO: "Socofer is pleased to announce a collaboration to expand our electric vehicle production activity, an important step for the future of rail transport. The professionalism of Leclanché's teams, their commitment to safety, the European origin of manufacturing, and their respect for rail constraints and standards, all had a positive influence on our decision. 

"After a lengthy evaluation process, we came to the conclusion that Leclanché was the partner we were looking for to meet the growing market for electric rail vehicles. The rail environment is a severe and demanding one, and Leclanché has fully integrated this into its choice of cells, as well as the design and manufacture of battery packs, which are assembled and tested in its European factories. This location was also one of our priorities as part of our low-carbon policy.”

Daniel Hugues, Eurotunnel's Director of Infrastructure, said: "With this partnership we are perpetuating our pioneering spirit by using innovative technologies combining safety and operational excellence to reinforce our actions in favor of decarbonisation. With this new technology, our maintenance convoys will reduce their CO₂ emissions by almost 180 tonnes a year.”

Pierre Blanc, Chief Technical Officer and co-CEO of Leclanché, said: “Leclanché is proud to have been selected by Socofer for this important project, which demonstrates the high quality and safety of our energy storage solutions. We look forward to continuing to provide innovative and reliable solutions to meet the evolving needs of the rail industry.”

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About Socofer

A railway equipment manufacturer since 1920, Socofer specialises in the design and manufacture of small and medium-sized traction units. A pioneering and innovative company, mastering the latest motorisation technologies, SOCOFER emphasizes the decarbonisation of its vehicles by offering electric or hybrid solutions. Backed by strong values, we continue to take action every day to develop the sustainable solutions of tomorrow.

About Eurotunnel

Eurotunnel is the historic company of the Getlink Group, a major European player in low-carbon transport of passengers, goods and electricity, and holds the concession for the Channel Tunnel infrastructure until 2086. 

Its rail shuttle services - LeShuttle for cars and tourist coaches and LeShuttle Freight for road freight - carried 8 million passengers and 1.45 million trucks between the UK and France in 2022. It also provides rail operators with a reliable and efficient link between the UK and Europe for passenger High Speed Trains and freight trains. Business is growing strongly in all segments. Today, 25% of trade between the UK and continental Europe passes through the Channel Tunnel.  A Franco-British company from the outset, Eurotunnel employs nearly 2,600 people at its terminals in Calais and Folkestone, and throughout Europe, to offer customers the fastest, most reliable and easiest cross-Channel service on the market, and to create new services. As a major crossing point between the UK and Europe, Eurotunnel has been developing its smart border services since the Brexit came into force.

About Leclanché

Leclanché is a world leading provider of high-quality energy storage solutions based on lithium-ion cell technology. Established in 1909 in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, Leclanché’s history and heritage is rooted in battery and energy storage innovation. The company’s Swiss culture for precision and quality, together with its production facilities in Germany, make Leclanché the partner of choice for companies seeking the very best in battery performance and who are pioneering positive changes in how energy is produced, distributed and consumed around the world. Leclanché is organised into three business units: energy storage solutions, e-Mobility solutions and specialty battery systems. The company currently employs over 350 persons with representative offices in eight countries around the world. Leclanché is listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX: LECN).

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to Leclanché's business, which can be identified by terminology such as "strategic", "proposes", "to introduce", "will", "planned", "expected", "commitment", "expects", "set", "preparing", "plans", "estimates", "aims", "would", "potential", "awaiting", "estimated", "proposal", or similar expressions, or by expressed or implied discussions regarding the ramp up of Leclanché's production capacity, potential applications for existing products, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products, or potential future sales or earnings of Leclanché or any of its business units. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Leclanché regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Leclanché's products will achieve any particular revenue levels. Nor can there be any guarantee that Leclanché, or any of the business units, will achieve any particular financial results.

Media Contact Eurotunnel

Romain Dufour

T : +33 (0)6 20 00 31 38

Romain.dufour@getlinkgroup.com