AS 7486 Rolling Stock Onboard Electrical Energy Storage

The closing date for comments – Wednesday 22 April 2026.

The draft AS 7486 Onboard Electrical Energy Storage is now open for  Public Consultation.

How this product helps the rail industry

AS 7486 Rolling Stock Onboard Electrical Energy Storage helps the rail industry safely integrate modern battery technologies into Australian rolling stock. It sets clear functional and safety requirements for onboard energy storage systems, particularly lithium-ion batteries and electric double‑layer capacitors (EDLCs), providing a structured framework to identify and manage associated risks.

By supporting a consistent safety-in-design approach, the Standard enables new and modified fleets to adopt advanced, sustainable energy solutions without introducing unintended hazards. It gives operators, manufacturers and procurers confidence to transition to modern onboard energy storage safely, efficiently and reliably.

About

Electrical Energy Storage (EES) systems are fundamental to the safe and reliable operation of rolling stock. As battery technologies evolve, so too do the associated safety risks, making it essential that design practices adapt accordingly.

AS 7486 Rolling Stock Onboard Electrical Energy Storage has recently undergone a review and update by a Development Group comprising industry specialists. The review examined and addressed the following key areas including general design principles,  through‑life assessment factors, hazard and risk analysis, and interoperability requirements.

How to contribute

AS 7486 Onboard Electrical Energy Storage is available for public consultation for 60 days. All interested parties are encouraged to provide comments during this time.

It is available to download here.

To make comments on the draft, please use the commenting tools in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader to comment in-line with the text. If needed you can find instructions here.

Please return your PDF with comments to mmaartensz@ariso.org.au by Wednesday 22 April 2026.

As the rail industry’s only accredited Standards Development Organisation (SDO), ARISO collaborates with government, rail operators and industry leaders to improve the efficiency and harmonisation of the Australia’s rail network, ensuring national interoperability, safety and sustainability into the future.