M-1 Rail to 'Push the Off-Wire' By Using Battery Power on Part of Route

The M-1 folks say they're innovating to powering streetcars.

Eric D. Nelson of the Detroit Free Press writes that the M-1, which is expected to be operational next year, will run in part on battery power — rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that can provide 750 volts of juice.

"We're pushing the envelope on this really old industry," said Paul Childs, the system's chief operating officer.

Sixty percent of the route will be "off wire," or powered by batteries, the Freep says, while the rest  will use an overhead wire. The 3.3-mile system will link downtown and the New Center area.

"We wanted to push the off wire as far as we could go," Childs said.