Alstom agree to deliver 25 high-speed trains to Sweden

Credit: Alstom

Alstom has signed a historic agreement with Sweden’s national rail operator SJ to supply 25 Zefiro Express electric high-speed trains, with an option of 15 additional trains. The contract for the first firm order is valued at around €650 million. The new trains will effectively be Sweden’s fastest ever, capable of operating at maximum speeds of 250km/h. The first train is scheduled for delivery in 2026.

“Alstom is immensely proud to be delivering these new high-speed trains to SJ,” Rob Whyte, Managing Director of Alstom Nordics, said. “This is a historic agreement that will change the way passengers travel across the country. With concerns about climate change, high-speed rail is the primary alternative to air travel. It’s comfortable, convenient, and now very fast. This is a trend we see everywhere, and Alstom is the leader in this domain with experience from several high-speed train projects around the world.”

The Zefiro Express trains are designed to operate in harsh weather conditions, even when temperatures drop as low as -40C, and their cutting-edge technology will ensure that passengers will have a safe and comfortable journey. The floors in the train carriages are flat and ramp-free, which allow easy passage on, off and along the train. The state-of-the-art trains will each have a total capacity of 363 seats, providing passengers with an exceptional travel experience, the trains have been ergonomically designed for maximum comfort and feature premium seating and lighting. The carriage width, electrical systems, and signalling systems have been developed with an understanding that the trains will run in both Sweden and Denmark, but they will also be certified for traffic in Norway.

The Zefiro Express is part of Alstom’s high-speed train Avelia platform, the largest offering on the market, covering maximum operating speeds between 200 km/h and 350 km/h. Almost 3,000 high-speed trains with Alstom technology have been sold worldwide over the last 40 years.