the batteries are charged via the electric pickup when operating on electric mode. Comparison with locomotives EMUs, when compared with electric locomotives, offer: Higher acceleration, since there are more motors sharing the same load, more motors allows for a higher total motor power output Braking, including Eddy current, rheostatic and/or regenerative braking on multiple axles at once, greatly reducing wear on brake parts (as the wear can be distributed among more brakes) and allowing for faster braking (lower/reduced braking distances) Reduced axle loads, since the need for a heavy locomotive is eliminated; this in turn allows for simpler and cheaper structures that use less material (like bridges and viaducts) and lower structure maintenance costs Reduced ground vibrations, due to the above Lower adhesion coefficients for driving (powered) axles, due to lower weight on these axles; weight is not concentrated on a locomotive A higher degree of redundancy - performance is only minimally affected following the failure of a single motor or brake Higher seating capacity, since there is no locomotive; all cars can contain seats. Electric locomotives, when compared to EMUs, offer: Less electrical equipment per train resulting in lower train manufacturing and maintenance costs Easily allows for lower noise and vibration in passenger cars, since there are no motors or gearboxes on the bogies below the cars See also Electro-diesel multiple unit Diesel multiple unit Battery electric multiple unit British electric multiple units References External links Multiple units Electric rail transport