Argentina’s first solar train runs on batteries charged by the Andean sun
The Tren Solar de la Quebrada can run nearly double its current length on solar power alone.
Argentina's first solar-powered train, the Tren Solar de la Quebrada, has begun operation in northern Argentina's high-altitude deserts. The 42-kilometer route through the Andes connects six towns within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Quebrada de Humahuaca valley. Launched in 2024, the train is battery-powered, charging its six lithium batteries through solar energy generated in Jujuy province.
When the train brakes, kinetic energy is converted back into electricity, stored in the batteries for later use. This battery system grants the train a range of 100-120 kilometers, more than twice its current route. Fast-charging points at Volcán, Purmamarca, and a future one in Tilcara allow for recharging along the journey. The solar train has been well-received since its launch, with over 90,000 passengers traveling since June 2024, marking the first time rail service reached Quebrada de Humahuaca in 30 years.
Meanwhile, Europe continues to electrify its railways, with nearly 58% of its network powered by electricity in 2024. In the Netherlands, NS has sourced enough renewable electricity to match its train's annual consumption since 2025, while Switzerland's Sun-Ways installed solar panels on a 100-meter track section in 2025, generating enough electricity to power four to five European homes annually.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
