Train shipment of lithium power batteries debuts in Guiyang

A special railway transportation route for lithium power batteries is launched in Guiyang. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

A freight train carrying lithium power batteries by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) departed from Guiyang International Land Port in the Guiyang Free Trade Zone, Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, on Nov 19, heading east towards Shanghai.

This marks the debut of a pilot program for the safe railway transport of lithium power batteries in China, simultaneously launched by Guizhou, Sichuan and Chongqing, and signifies a new breakthrough in railway transport for Guiyang International Land Port.

Lithium power batteries are crucial for the high-quality development of the new energy vehicle industry. In recent years, demand for lithium power batteries has surged. However, in China, the transportation of power batteries has primarily relied on road and water routes. In 2023, approximately 9.4 million metric tons of power batteries were transported by road, accounting for over 90 percent of the total.

"Compared to road and water transport, railway transport offers advantages such as larger capacity, shorter transportation cycles, higher safety, moderate costs, and environmental friendliness. However, domestic railway transport was previously only suitable for consumer lithium batteries. This successful trial will change this," according to the China Railway Chengdu Group Co.

In September this year, China Railway Chengdu Group Co finalized the initial trial transport plan for the dedicated transportation line from Guiyang International Land Port to Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co.

The China Academy of Railway Sciences led the research and development of 40-foot specialized containers for lithium batteries, featuring flame retardant, heat insulation, pressure relief, and exhaust functions.

It also formulated transportation conditions and loading plans for these containers to ensure the safe transport of lithium batteries.

Due to its rich phosphate resources, Guizhou is becoming an important production base for lithium iron phosphate cathode materials. This successful trial shipment of lithium power batteries is expected to transform Guizhou's resource advantages into industrial and economic advantages and foster the development of new quality productive force capacities.