The World's First Carbon Fiber Subway Train

THE WORLD'S FIRST CARBON FIBER METRO TRAIN for commercial operation, “CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express”, was officially launched in Qingdao. The car is 11% lighter than traditional subway vehicles, and will lead the subway train to realize a new green upgrade.

The car body, bogie frame and other main bearing structure made of carbon fiber composite materials, with lighter and more energy-efficient, higher strength, stronger environmental adaptability, lower life cycle operation and maintenance costs and other technical advantages. Compared with the traditional metal material subway vehicles, carbon fiber subway vehicle body weight reduction of 25%, bogie frame weight reduction of 50%, the whole car weight reduction of about 11%, running energy consumption reduced by 7%, each train can reduce carbon dioxide emissions of about 130 tons per year, equivalent to 101 acres of afforestation.

"We have realized the selection of carbon fiber composite materials, design, manufacturing, simulation, testing of the whole process, the whole chain of autonomy, systematically solved the electromagnetic compatibility, acoustic insulation, thermal insulation and other issues, to build a carbon fiber composite-based rail vehicle system solutions, effectively reducing the train operating energy consumption, reduce wheel and rail wear." Train chief designer Liu Jinzhu said.

Looking ahead, with the popularization and application of carbon fiber subway trains, urban rail transit will achieve greener, low-carbon and efficient operation. This will promote the green transformation of urban rail transit, help the industry to achieve the “double carbon” goal is of great significance. At the same time, the successful development of carbon fiber subway train also injects new impetus for the technological innovation and international competitiveness of China's rail transportation industry.