Siemens Mobility receives first order for battery-powered trains from SFBW

Credit: Siemens Mobility

Siemens Mobility has announced that it has received the first order for its battery-powered Mireo Plus B trains from Landesanstalt Schienenfahrzeuge Baden-Württemberg (SFBW) for operation in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Winfried Hermann, State Minister for Transport, said: “This marks the first time battery-powered trains will be used in the state. With this innovative technology, the electrification of rail routes without continuous overhead power lines will also be possible.”

The total order of 20 Mireo Plus B trains includes maintenance of the trains by Siemens Mobility for a period of just under 30 years. The two-car electric trainsets with 120 seats can operate on rail routes with or without overhead power lines thanks to their battery hybrid drive, and are scheduled to operate in Network 8 of the Ortenau regional system. 

With a range of approximately 80km in battery operation under real conditions, the batteries can be charged via the overhead line while operating along electrified sections and by recuperating the train’s braking energy. The lithium-ion battery system is mounted underfloor and is installed in two battery containers.

CEO of Siemens Mobility, Sabrina Soussan, said: “With this order, the state of Baden-Württemberg is investing in the future of mobility. Our battery-powered train, Mireo Plus B, makes climate-friendly, local, emission-free passenger transport possible, thus offering a sustainable alternative to the use of diesel-powered trains on non-electrified rail routes. We will guarantee the availability of the fleet with our maintenance of the trains over their entire lifecycle.”

The contract – which includes the building, delivery and maintenance of the trains – amounts to €77 million for the term of 28 years, with the KfW IPEX Bank financing the trains for Nahverkehrsgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg (NVBW). The trains will be built at the Siemens Mobility factory in Krefeld, Germany, and delivery of the trainsets is scheduled to be complete by December 2023. 

Winfried said: “In the interest of sustainability, we’ve deliberately opted for a ‘lifecycle model’. We’re breaking new ground in converting to climate-friendly propulsion systems in local transport by introducing this new technology and want to commit the company to this technology through contractual arrangements. Siemens is also responsible for energy consumption and energy costs over the entire contract period of 29.5 years. In this respect, we are entering new territory regarding public transport tenders in the state of Baden-Württemberg.”