DB Regio AG has emerged as the winner of the Europe-wide competition organised by the Free State of Thuringia for the Central Thuringia battery network. ‘The award of the Central Thuringia battery network heralds a generational shift in the drive technologies used in local rail passenger transport in Thuringia. With the first use of battery-electric vehicles, 13 percent of Thuringia’s local rail passenger transport will be decarbonised in one fell swoop,’ said Infrastructure Minister Steffen Schütz. ‘This is a milestone on our way to successively replacing the large number of diesel railcars used to date and making regional rail transport even more climate-friendly,’ he added.
The order for Thuringia is now Stadler’s fourth major order for battery-powered vehicles in Germany with a total of 134 trains ordered of which 55 trains are already in operation in Schleswig-Holstein:
- 2019: Order of 55 Flirt Akku (45 m vehicle length) in Schleswig Holstein, operated by Nordbahn and erixx
- 2021: Order of 44 Flirt Akku (55.5 m vehicle length) for the Southern Palatinate, operation by DB Regio
- 2022: Order of 16 Flirt Akku (45 m vehicle length) for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, operation by DB Regio
- 2025: Order of 19 Flirt Akku (presumably 45 m vehicle length) for Thuringia, operation by DB Regio
Stadler’s battery train is also successful outside Germany: on 15 February 2023, Stadler signed a contract with Utah State University (USU) and the ASPIRE Engineering Research Center to develop and test a battery-powered multiple unit for the North American market. The vehicle is based on the FLIRT battery, with Stadler responsible for the design and construction, while ASPIRE is responsible for the charging infrastructure development.
In July 2023, Stadler received an order from the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) for the delivery of up to 120 FLIRT Akku trains. These new multiple-unit trains will replace older diesel multiple-unit trains and will primarily be used on routes in eastern Austria. The framework agreement, including an initial order for 16 vehicles, was signed in October 2023.
Recharging via the overhead line and construction of two OLIA’s
The use of vehicles with alternative drive technology in Thuringia will be of great importance in the future. Battery electric vehicles – so-called BEMU (Battery Electric Multiple Units) – can bridge sections of up to 80 kilometres without overhead lines by using the energy stored in the batteries for propulsion during overhead line operation. This means that the planned routes do not have to be completely equipped with overhead lines. To use the BEMU in the Central Thuringia battery network, existing overhead lines in Fröttstädt, Gotha and Saalfeld must be partially extended and stationary recharging infrastructures installed in Ilmenau and Bad Langensalza. This is already being prepared in cooperation with DB InfraGO AG. Similar so-called OLIA’s (overhead line island installations) have already been built in Schleswig-Holstein and will be put into operation between 2023 and 2024.
Transport contract 15-year term
The new transport contract with DB Regio AG covers an annual service volume of approx. 3.6 million timetable kilometres and runs from December 2028 to December 2043. By specifying higher minimum seating capacities, the Free State of Thuringia is responding to the positive development in passenger demand, which was primarily triggered by the introduction of the Deutschlandticket. DB Regio AG will procure 19 FLIRT Akku vehicles from Stadler for the Central Thuringia battery network. ‘The new vehicles will not only offer more passenger space, but will also have barrier-free entrances, generous seat spacing, Wi-Fi, video surveillance and modern, large-scale electronic passenger information. In addition to 148 seats, the new vehicles also offer separate areas for bicycles, wheelchairs and pushchairs. I am sure that passengers will be delighted,’ said Minister Schütz. In addition, a binding interior and exterior design has been specified for the vehicles for the first time, which will gradually be applied in other parts of the state to make regional rail transport recognisable.
The Central Thuringia battery network includes the lines from Erfurt to Ilmenau, Saalfeld, Nordhausen and via Döllstädt to Heilbad Heiligenstadt as well as the Fröttstädt – Friedrichroda and Gotha – Bad Langensalza lines. The tried-and-tested winging concept of the Erfurt – Ilmenau and Erfurt – Saalfeld lines at Arnstadt station will be continued. The timetable offer will be extended on individual routes with additional early or late services. In addition, new timetable concepts and the completion of infrastructure will reduce journey times, e.g. between Erfurt and Ilmenau or Erfurt and Nordhausen. By deploying security personnel – in addition to train attendants – the Free State of Thuringia is responding to passengers’ increased need for security.
‘I congratulate DB Regio AG on winning the tender. I look forward to long-term cooperation with this experienced, committed and reliable partner and have already marked 10 December 2028 in my diary as the date for the start of operations,’ concluded Minister Schütz.
