Alstom to supply battery-electric trains for German regional line

Alstom has signed a contract valued at approximately €100 million to manufacture, deliver, and maintain eleven Coradia Continental battery-electric trains for regional service on the Leipzig-Chemnitz route in Germany. The order was placed by VMS (Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen) and supported by ZVNL (Zweckverband für den Nahverkehrsraum Leipzig), the authorities responsible for the line.

The new battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) are scheduled to enter service in 2023. They are designed to operate on the approximately 80-kilometer non-electrified section of the route between Chemnitz and Leipzig, bridging the gap in the existing electrified network. The trains will be manufactured at Alstom's Salzgitter site in Germany. This contract expands Alstom's offering of emission-free traction systems, which now includes battery technology alongside electric and hydrogen fuel cells.

These trains will be similar to the Coradia Continental electric trains already in operation on routes serving Dresden, Riesa, and Zwickau. The key difference is the addition of high-performance batteries mounted on the roof, allowing for catenary-free operation. The battery capacity is calculated to ensure the trains can cover the non-electrified section without compromising performance or passenger comfort. The trains will have a range of up to 120 kilometers on battery power.

Each three-car train will be 56 meters long and accommodate 150 seats, with a top speed of 160 km/h in battery mode. Alstom highlights its extensive experience with battery traction, gained from projects like the Coradia iLint, Citadis trams, and Prima H3 locomotive, emphasizing its commitment to sustainable mobility solutions that are both cost-effective and attractive.