Electrical Multiple Unit
A Electric Multiple Unit or EMU is a multiple unit train powered by electricity. The cars that form a complete EMU consist can usually be separated by function into these four categories: Power Car, Motor Car, Driving Car, or Trailer Car. Each car can have more than one function, such as a Motor-Driving Car or Power-Driving Car. A Power Car carries the necessary equipment to draw power from the electrified infrastructure, such as shoes for third rail systems and pantograph for overhead lines systems, and transformers. A Motor Car carries the traction motor. A Driving Car is similar to a cab car, contains a diver's cab for controlling train; a EMU consist has two driving cars, with one at each end of the consist. A Trailer Car is any car that carries no traction or power related equipments, and is similar to a passenger car in a locomotive hauled train.
The two most famous EMU in the world are all series of Shinkansen in Japan and ICE 3 in Germany. Also, almost if not all the rapid transit equipments in the world are EMU.
Commuter Rail
Electric Multiple Units are popular on commuter and suburban rail networks around the world due to their fast acceleration, pollution free operation and quietness. Being quieter than DEMU, DMU and Locomotive drawn trains EMU's can operate later at night and more frequently without disturbing residents living near the railway lines. In addition tunnel design for EMU trains is simpler as provisions do not need to be made for diesel exhaust fumes.
In Australia EMU's are the primary means of commuter rail transport in all capital cities except for Adelaide and Hobart.