The E235 series design was developed from the earlier E233 series trains, and like the E233 and E231 series trains, the new E235 series trains have stainless steel bodies. The exterior styling was overseen by the industrial design firm Ken Okuyama Design. Baggage racks and hand-holds have been lowered 5 cm for easier access and the seats are 1 cm wider than previous trains. The car interiors also have up to 36 digital monitors for various informational displays. The window behind the drivers cab has been lowered so children can get a better view of the operator of the cars. The temperature of each car is also monitored; the system can predict the number of passengers at upcoming stations and adjust the temperature for passenger comfort. This information is also communicated to a smart phone application, allowing customers to choose in which car to ride based on their temperature preference.
Variants
E235-0 series: 11-car sets used on the Yamanote Line
Details of the E235 series design were first announced in July 2014. The first, pre-series set 01, train was delivered from the J-TREC factory at Niitsu in March 2015, with test-running commencing on the Yamanote Line on 30 March. Set number 01 entered revenue service on 30 November 2015, with a departure ceremony at Osaki Station, but was taken out of service later the same day following faults with door-close indicators and problems stopping at the correct position along the station platform. Test running on the Yamanote Line resumed from 27 December. The train returned to revenue service on the Yamanote Line on 7 March 2016. In June 2016, JR East announced its official plans for the introduction of a fleet of 49 full-production sets between spring 2017 and spring 2020. Most units will be built as 10-car sets and use converted former E231-500 series SaHa E231-4600 cars, while two units will be built as 11-car sets. The first full-production standard set, 02, was delivered from the J-TREC factory in Niitsu in April 2017. This entered service on 22 May 2017. In April 2018, JR East announced the replacement of the existing E217 series on the Sōbu Line and Yokosuka Line by new E235 series trains beginning in fiscal 2020. The fleet will consist of 51 11-car trains and 46 four-car trains, for a total of 745 cars to be newly constructed.
E235-0 series
A total of 50 11-car trains were delivered for use on the Yamanote Line, replacing the E231-500 series in use since 2002. A pre-series train was delivered in March 2015, first entering revenue service from 30 November 2015, but then taken out of service for three months before re-entering service in March 2016. The pre-series set was converted to the full production standard by 14 March 2018.
Formations
, 50 11-car sets are based at Tokyo General Rolling Stock Centre and formed with six motored cars and five non-powered trailer cars. All but two sets have SaHa E235-4600 cars, which are modified from former E231-500 series SaHa E231-4600 cars.
On the pre-series set, car 3 has one PS33D single-arm pantograph, car 6 has PS33H and PS36A single-arm pantographs, and car 9 has one PS33H single-arm pantograph.
On the remaining production sets, cars 3 and 9 each have one PS33H single-arm pantograph and car 6 has two PS33H single-arm pantographs.
All cars have an accessible/priority "free space".
Car 4 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.
Exterior
Interior
Passenger accommodation consists of longitudinal bench seating throughout, with an individual seat width of per person, compared to for the earlier E231-500 series. Priority seating is provided at both ends of each car, and a space for wheelchairs or strollers is provided at one end of each car. LED lighting is used throughout. The initial plan was for paper advertisements inside the cars to be completely abolished, replaced by 18 LCD colour advertising screens in each car, but following feedback from advertising companies and users, the first train to enter service will include traditional paper advertisements in addition to the LCD screens. The full-production sets incorporate a number of design changes. Whereas in the pre-series set 01, the luggage rack height was generally with a height of in the end cars and in priority seating areas, this is standardized as 1,628 mm throughout from set 02 onward. The handrails next to seats in the full-production sets have an embossed surface compared with the polished metal surface used in the pre-series set.
E235-1000 series
A total of 745 cars will be built for use on the Sōbu Line and Yokosuka Line, replacing the E217 series in use since 1994. On 21 April 2020, the Green cars of the first set were completed at the J-TREC factory in Yokohama and transported to the J-TREC factory in Niitsu to be joined with standard cars. On 3 June 2020, the first 11-car set was completed at Niitsu; it was delivered to Kamakura Depot on 8 June 2020. The first 4-car set was completed at Niitsu on 16 June 2020 and was delivered on 19 June 2020..
Formations
11-car sets
, two 11-car sets are based at Kamakura Depot and formed with six motored cars and five non-powered trailer cars.
Cars 7 and 10 each have one single-arm pantograph and car 3 has two single-arm pantographs.
Cars 1-3 and 6-11 have an accessible/priority "free space".
Cars 1, 5, and 6 each have a toilet.
Car 8 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.
As with their counterparts on the Yamanote Line, passenger accommodation on ordinary cars consists of longitudinal bench seating throughout. A space for wheelchairs or strollers is provided at one end of each car, except on Green cars. The seats will be as seen the wider than those seen in earlier E217 series cars. The information screens measure 21 inches, and display information in four different languages. LED lighting is used throughout. Surveillance cameras are also equipped in order to increase safety. Green cars are equipped with a power outlet under the armrests as well as Wi-Fi.
