HB-E220 series
| HB-E220 series | |
|---|---|
HB-E220 series 2-car set in January 2026 | |
| In service | 2025–present |
| Manufacturer | |
| Replaced | KiHa 100 series, KiHa 110 series |
| Entered service | 1 December 2025 |
| Number under construction |
|
| Number built |
|
| Formation | 1/2 cars per unit |
| Capacity |
|
| Operator | JR East |
| Lines served | |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel |
| Car length | 20,600 mm (67 ft 7 in) |
| Width | 2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 3,640 mm (11 ft 11 in) |
| Doors | 3 per side |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
| Notes/references | |
| Specifications:[1] | |
The HB-E220 series (Japanese: HB-E220系) is a hybrid diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on services in the Takasaki and Morioka areas of Japan. 32 vehicles are to be built to replace ageing KiHa 100 series and KiHa 110 series DMUs.[2]
Design
The HB-E220 series adopts a traction system similar to that of the diesel–electric GV-E400 series, but the HB-E220 series also features onboard batteries. The diesel engine and batteries can operate alone or together to provide power to the train's main converter, which controls its traction motors.[3] When braking, the traction motors act as generators, recharging the batteries.[4]
Cars are of stainless steel construction with three doors per side.[5]
Operations
The HB-E220 series fleet is scheduled to be used on the following lines:[5]
- Hachikō Line (Komagawa – Takasaki)
- Tōhoku Main Line (Morioka – Hanamaki)
- Kamaishi Line (Hanamaki – Kamaishi)
Formations
The HB-E220 series fleet will consist of fourteen two-car units and four single-car units. Eight two-car units will be allocated to Hachikō Line services while the other six two-car units and all four single-car units will operate on the Tōhoku Main Line and Kamaishi Line.[5] They are formed as follows.[1][3]
Single-car units
| Numbering | HB-E220 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 103 |
2-car units
| Numbering | HB-E221 | HB-E222 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 117 | 126 |
- The HB-E221 car has a Western-style toilet.[3]
Interior
Passenger accommodation consists of longitudinal seating throughout.[1]
-
Interior
-
Interior with priority seating marked with red seatback and flooring
-
Fare display
History
Details of the new trains on order were first announced by JR East on 21 November 2024.[1]
The first three HB-E220 series cars, single-car unit HB-E220-1 and two-car set HB-E221-1 + HB-E222-1, were delivered from the Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing plant from April 2025.[6]
The first two-car set to be built for use on Hachikō Line services, HB-E221-7 + HB-E222-7, was delivered in July 2025.[7] On 22 August 2025, JR East announced plans to replace the entire non-electrified Hachikō Line fleet of KiHa 110 series sets with the HB-E220 series by the end of fiscal 2025.[3] In November, JR East later announced that the HB-E220 series would enter revenue service on the Kamaishi Line from 19 January 2026.[8]
The fleet entered service on the Hachikō Line on 1 December 2025.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d JR東日本「HB-E220系」八高線・釜石線など新型車両で環境負荷低減 [JR East unveils new "HB-E220 series" for Hachiko Line, Kamaishi Line, etc. to reduce environmental impact]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ "キハ100・110系の置き換え用！高崎・盛岡エリアに新型HB-E220系が導入！" [To replace the KiHa 100 and 110 series! The new HB-E220 series is being introduced in the Takasaki and Morioka areas!]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ 【釜石線、八高線などに投入】ハイブリッド方式のHB-E220系、お披露目！ [(Introduced on the Kamaishi Line, Hachiko Line, etc.) Hybrid HB-E220 series unveiled!]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "八高線や盛岡エリアに新型車両を導入へ 車内は全ロングシートに JR東日本" [JR East to introduce new train cars on the Hachiko Line and in the Morioka area, with all trains equipped with longitudinal seats]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Japan: Mediavague Co., ltd. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ JR東日本HB-E220系3両が甲種輸送される [Three JR East HB-E220 cars delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
- ^ "HB-E220系の第二陣が落成、今回は八高線用" [The second batch of HB-E220 series trains has been completed, this time for the Hachiko Line.]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ 新型車両「HB-E220系」、釜石線で1月19日デビュー [New "HB-E220 series" train to debut on Kamaishi Line on 19 January]. tetsudo.com (in Japanese). Japan: 4X Corp. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
- ^ "HBｰE220系が八高線でデビュー" [HB-E220 series debuts on the Hachiko Line]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.