With the public presentation of the first battery-electric multiple unit of the new Class 557, the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR) and Spanish manufacturer CAF have reached an important milestone in the decarbonisation of regional rail transport in North Rhine-Westphalia. The vehicle was unveiled on 21 May 2026 as part of the third VRR Lower Rhine Conference in Neuss. The train will be deployed in the Lower Rhine–Münsterland network, where it will gradually replace diesel multiple units.
The vehicle presented is the two-car unit 557 001 from CAF’s new Civity BEMU family. It belongs to the shorter vehicle variant and has already completed around 8,000 test kilometres, including runs on the Wegberg-Wildenrath test track. Entry into passenger service for the first units is still planned for the December 2027 timetable change.
Major project for alternative traction in North Rhine-Westphalia
The BEMU project is one of the largest procurement programmes for battery-electric regional trains in Germany. As early as 2021, VRR and the Westphalia-Lippe Local Transport Association (NWL) awarded CAF the contract for the supply and maintenance of the vehicles. The original order comprised 63 units, later increased through additional orders to a total of 76 vehicles. In addition to vehicle delivery, the contract also includes maintenance for a period of around 30 years.
The new trains are based on CAF’s modular Civity platform and are designed as conventional electric multiple units with an additional battery system. Power is supplied via the 15 kV / 16.7 Hz AC overhead line system. On non-electrified sections, the trains operate solely on battery power. The lithium-ion batteries are charged both while running under the overhead line and via so-called overhead line island installations (OLIA) at terminal stations on non-electrified routes.
CAF develops the complete on-board energy storage systems in-house. According to the company, it has around 15 years of experience with battery-electric systems from the light rail sector. These solutions are now being applied on a larger scale for the first time in the German mainline railway environment.
Two vehicle variants with 120 and 160 seats
The fleet will be delivered in two different length variants. The shorter version is approximately 45 metres long, features three bogies, and offers around 120 to 122 seats. The longer version is approximately 55 metres long, has four bogies, and provides around 160 seats. Both variants reach a maximum speed of 140 km/h.
The vehicles have been specifically designed for the requirements of the Lower Rhine–Münsterland network. Generous multifunctional areas allow the carriage of bicycles, prams and wheelchairs. Door layouts have been optimised for rapid passenger exchange. In addition, the trains feature Wi-Fi, power sockets, folding tables and modern passenger information systems with digital displays.
Visually, the trains follow the established VRR design language, but feature a distinctive front-end design and a lighter colour scheme compared with existing regional rolling stock in North Rhine-Westphalia. The large door areas and relatively open interior layout are also notable.
Network and start of operations
The CAF BEMUs will be used on a total of seven lines in the Lower Rhine–Münsterland network. These include:
- RE 10 Kleve – Krefeld – Düsseldorf
- RE 14 Essen – Dorsten – Borken/Coesfeld
- RB 31 Duisburg – Moers – Xanten
- RB 36 Oberhausen – Duisburg-Ruhrort
- RB 37 Geldern – Krefeld – Neuss
- RB 43 Dortmund – Herne – Dorsten
- RE 44 Kamp-Lintfort – Moers – Bottrop
Introduction into service will take place in stages. Initially, lines RB 31, RB 36 and RE 44 will be operated with the new vehicles. In a second phase, the remaining lines will follow. With full deployment, the diesel share in VRR regional rail operations is expected to fall significantly to below ten per cent.
Additional infrastructure measures are required for operation of the fleet. These include platform modifications, electrification of selected sections, and the construction of charging infrastructure. In Kleve, for example, an overhead line island installation is being built to recharge the trains. The station at Coesfeld is also receiving additional electrification measures.
New maintenance facilities for the fleet
CAF is building new maintenance capacity in North Rhine-Westphalia to support the fleet. The main depot will be located at the former Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck railway workshop. A secondary satellite depot is being developed in Neubeckum. According to CAF, these facilities will also be used for future vehicle projects.
The approval process for battery-electric vehicles remains demanding, particularly due to the combination of conventional overhead operation and battery mode. However, CAF expressed confidence that the trains will be fully certified and delivered on schedule by the end of 2027. The manufacturer also plans to present unit 557 001 at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin as its first railway vehicle exhibited at the trade fair.
With the new fleet, North Rhine-Westphalia will receive one of the largest battery-electric regional train networks in Europe. The project is seen not only as a major contribution to emissions reduction in rail transport, but also as a model for the electrification of heavily used regional networks without full overhead line deployment.
30.05.2026
