DB Regio has ordered 14 additional Flirt Akku battery trains which will enter into passenger service from December 2026 the so-called H-network in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region, north-east of Germany.
The “H-network” stands for “The use of electrical battery-hybrid vehicles”. This means that these routes can be serviced locally and completely emission-free – without having to install catenaries throughout the entire network.
The two-car trains will be used for typical transport period of 13 years and are tailored to the needs of the network that runs along part of the Baltic Sea coast. The H-network Warnow has a service scope of 1.5 million train kilometres a year and covers the routes of the RB11 between Wismar – Rostock – Tessin and the RB12 between Bad Doberan – Rostock – Graal-Müritz.
The Flirt Akku battery trains provide space for 99 seats, two spacious and accessible multi-purpose areas designed for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles. The air-conditioned and step-free vehicles also have a wheelchair-accessible toilet. All trains are equipped with WLAN, power sockets as well as video surveillance of the passenger areas and a modern passenger information system and ensure contemporary ride comfort.
“With the battery-electric multiple units, which will replace diesel vehicles, we are taking an important step towards climate neutrality with the state. As DB Regio, we are proud to put the first environmentally friendly network of this type into operation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania,” Carsten Moll, Chairman of DB Regio Northeast said.
With this contract, Stadler secured the third supply contract for battery-operated vehicles in Germany. In 2021, DB Regio ordered 44 Flirt two-car BEMUs expected to enter service in 2025.
Stadler will be delivering at least 113 vehicles with alternative drive technologies over the next five years.
The Flirt Akku is the battery-operated version of the FLIRT type series by Stadler. The vehicle is highly versatile thanks to that fact that it is designed for non-electrified and partially electrified tracks. The operational reach of the vehicle is about 100 km, which means that 80 percent of the non-electrified routes in Germany can be used by regional trains in battery mode. With 224 driven kilometres in pure battery mode, the Flirt Akku holds the world record for the longest journey by a regional train in pure battery mode without additional charging.
This type of train is a single-storey, easily customised regional vehicle. Its vehicle concept is largely based on the already approved and tested electrical trains Flirt for exclusive operation under a catenary. Most of the traction equipment and the most important mechanical components have been retained. All Flirt models have a lightweight aluminium frame. Maintenance-friendly designs and components that have proven themselves thousands of times over help to keep operating, energy and servicing costs to a minimum. Two to four-part train compositions can be realised in the battery-operated variant. Like the Flirt, the Flirt Akku can also be customized highly flexibly with respect to the number of seats, passenger flow or interior design.
Share on: 
