In recent years, travel modes overly dependent on fuel-powered cars have worsened air pollution, with frequent smog in many places, and big-city problems such as traffic congestion, difficult parking, and high noise have become very serious. As a result, a ground-level modern tram system that occupies only one-third of the area of traditional automobile roads, has transport efficiency dozens of times that of buses, and uses supercapacitors to provide clean electric energy has emerged.

    This energy-storage modern tram is the product of a perfect combination of supercapacitor energy storage technology and traditional 100% low-floor technology.

    Electric vehicles with traditional lithium-ion batteries often take hours to charge, but supercapacitor technology has brought a revolution in charging and traction modes. This energy-storage modern tram uses the time passengers spend boarding and alighting to complete rapid charging at the platform within 30 seconds. After one charge, it can run continuously for at least 2 kilometers, then charge again upon reaching the next platform, repeating the cycle. This will bring great convenience to vehicle operations.

    The reporter saw at the site that the supercapacitor energy storage device providing power for this energy-storage modern tram was also exhibited, including supercapacitor cells of different grades, among which the 7500F unit, currently the world's highest-power supercapacitor, was particularly eye-catching. What is a supercapacitor? Simply put, it is the third-generation energy storage device. The first and second generations are mechanical energy storage and chemical energy storage, while the third generation is physical energy storage represented by supercapacitors. Compared with traditional chemical batteries, supercapacitors can achieve 1 million charge-discharge cycles, charge quickly within tens of seconds, and offer advantages such as no pollution and no explosion risk.

    The energy-storage modern tram belongs to a medium-capacity rail transit system and can effectively fill the capacity gap between bus systems and subway systems. Like light rail and subway, it belongs to the urban rail transit system and has advantages such as a shorter construction cycle and lower project cost than light rail and subway.

    The reporter learned that in 2012 CSR had already developed the world's first light rail prototype vehicle powered entirely by supercapacitors. This year, CSR also established China's first modern tram research institute in Guangzhou, dedicated to developing modern tram transit systems for green travel that meet the requirements of new-type urban construction. Not long ago, CSR also won the bid for the Guangzhou Haizhu Line tram project. By then, Guangzhou is expected to become the world's first city to use this green, energy-saving energy-storage modern tram.

    According to incomplete statistics, in the next five years, major Chinese cities have proposed modern tram line plans totaling nearly 1,000 kilometers. At present, more than 240 cities in over 60 countries around the world have begun building modern tram systems, and modern tram transit is ushering in broad development prospects.