Canberra’s light rail vehicles have been fitted with batteries so they can run without overhead wires — the first time in Australia the technology has been added to trams, the ACT Government says.

The onboard energy systems can store up to 140 kWh of energy, enough to power wire-free journeys between Alinga Street and Commonwealth Park as part of Stage 2A (City to Commonwealth Park) and through the National Triangle on the planned Stage 2B extension (Commonwealth Park to Woden).

“This is a critical milestone for the extension of light rail network to the Southside of our city,” transport minister Chris Steel MLA said.

Going wire-free helps meet National Capital Authority requirements by reducing poles, wires, and lineside infrastructure around Commonwealth Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, and Parliament House vistas.

“This technology will reduce the impacts on sensitive national areas,” Mr Steel said.

Each of the existing 14 light rail vehicles was equipped with two 70 kWh batteries.

Five new light rail vehicles, manufactured by CAF, have been added to the fleet with the battery systems already installed.

The batteries charge while the vehicles travel on wired sections of track, and also collect energy when the trams brake. They last around 10 years.

The batteries add some weight, but the braking and traction systems have been modified to compensate, Andrew Pearce, project director for Canberra light rail operations, said. Most passengers will not notice a difference in how the light rail vehicles operate.

Passenger displays, doors, hand straps and leaning supports have also been upgraded.

Construction of Stage 2A is expected to finish in 2027, and services are due to begin in early 2028, Mr Steel said. Physical works are expected to wrap up early next year, and the project is ahead of schedule.

ACT Greens transport spokesperson Andrew Braddock commented that the government was “bending over backwards” to satisfy the Commonwealth’s requirements.

The ACT Greens want to see light rail extended across Canberra, Mr Braddock said. They are pushing the government to submit a works approval application for Stage 2B to the National Capital Authority as soon as possible, so the Commonwealth could begin its parliamentary approval processes.