If 90 percent of passenger trains in France operate on electrified lines, which helps reduce their carbon emissions, the remaining 10 percent still rely on traditional power sources and pose a significant challenge for decarbonization. The French national rail company, SNCF, has taken a new step toward addressing this challenge with the introduction of the first battery-powered train in the country. On the Vauvert–Nîmes railway line in the Occitanie region, changes are underway. This route is typically served by dual-mode trains that can run on both electrified and non-electrified tracks. However, for several days, a new battery-powered train has been operating on this line. The train is the result of a joint experiment involving five French regions, Alstom (a major train manufacturer), and SNCF Voyageurs (the company responsible for passenger services). This electric multiple unit is equipped with 16 lithium batteries, giving it an autonomy of 80 to 100 kilometers. The batteries are charged during braking or through overhead power lines. Currently, the train makes three round trips daily between Vauvert and Nîmes station. The experiment is expected to last two years, and it is projected to save 20 percent in energy compared to the traditional dual-mode trains. The broader program, which aims to convert other trains to battery power, involves an investment of nearly 40 million euros. Visually, aside from its specific paint scheme, the battery-powered train is nearly identical to the traditional electric/thermal trains in use across France. This is intentional, as the train is not a new model but a retrofit of existing electric/thermal trains built in the 2000s. To convert these trains, Alstom engineers made modifications without changing the train’s original design, including its size, weight, or onboard software. The 16 lithium batteries have the same weight and space requirements as the old diesel engines. The train’s operation remains the same, allowing drivers to maintain their usual routines without disruption.