Purchase of battery-electric trains

LNVG will acquire 102 battery-electric and 27 electric trains to replace its diesel rolling stock, as reported by the railway portal Railway Supply.

The state-owned company LNVG, belonging to the government of Lower Saxony (Germany), has announced its intention to conduct a tender for the purchase of 102 battery-electric trains and 27 electric trains with overhead power supply.

Development of the Logistics Center in Katowice

Battery-electric trains will enter service in 2029 on two lines in Heidekreis, and by 2037, LNVG plans to replace the remaining part of its diesel trains.

The Ministry of Economics, Transport, Construction, and Digitalization of the state explained its choice of electric trains for economic reasons: “The basis for the purchase of new battery-electric trains was a market research conducted by LNVG. […] Various options, including hydrogen-powered and battery trains, were considered. The result: battery-electric trains are more cost-effective in operation.”

Previously, in 2022, LNVG launched the world’s first hydrogen-powered railway line. The company invested over €93 million ($85 million) in 14 hydrogen fuel cell trains, which began operation in August of last year.

The federal government also allocated an additional €8.4 million, of which €4.3 million was spent on the construction of the world’s first refueling station for H2 trains, built by Linde in the city of Bremerhaven.

At that time, the Prime Minister of Lower Saxony stated that this project serves as a model for the world and is an excellent example of a successful transition to climate neutrality in the transportation sector.

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