Trenitalia ordered from Hitachi Rail 30 new ETR1000 high speed trains under a EUR 861 million contract, with an option for a further 10 trains for an additional EUR 287 million. The deliveries are planned to start in spring 2026, at a rate of 8-10 trains per year.
Thanks to the onboard technology, the new fleet is capable of travelling on different types of national railway infrastructure, switching seamlessly between the different power supplies and signalling system, in order to complete pan-Europe journeys.
The trains, like the previous ETR1000s, will have the iconic red Frecciarossa 1000 livery and are planned to be used primarily for the Italian high-speed network. The trains are also able to run across Europe, including on high speed lines in France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The new ETR1000 high speed trains will be manufactured at the Hitachi Rail Italian factories in Naples and Pistoia, near Florence.
From 2010 to now, 58 ETR1000s have been built for Trenitalia, Ferrovie dello Stato Group, and a further six are in the pipeline. With the additional 30 trains included in this new order, the total number of trains produced will rise to 94.
The new trains, which retain the main characteristics of the iconic trains already in operation, will offer an updated interior, with final design details due to be released ahead of passenger service. The comfort standards are very high, with an excellent level of sound proofing for quiet passenger journeys, adjustable LED lighting, ambient air conditioning, suitable access for people with reduced mobility, onboard monitors, wi-fi and power sockets for PCs and smartphones. The ETR1000 trains are around 200 metres long, have capacity for 460 seated passengers and have a bistro area onboard.
Part of the train’s success is the use of light alloys for the vehicle’s bodyshell. The design means that the trains are light, relative to their size, so have an excellent weight/power ratio and can offer impressive acceleration. It is this acceleration that allows the trains to get up to line speed quickly and thereby reduces passengers’ journey time, a major factor in the success of high speed trains in Italy.
The design is also highly sustainable and at the end of the train’s life almost all the materials can be recovered for reuse. The ETR1000 has independently certified impressive levels of recyclability, 94.4%, and recoverable materials, 95.8%.
The ETR1000, capable of a top speed of 350 km/h in passenger operation, is also known for its low environmental impact. It sets the standards for high-speed trains with its acceleration, quiet and smooth running. These characteristics are aiding its success internationally, with ETR1000 fleets running in Spain, where the train has been operating for over a year, and in France, where cross-border service between Paris and Milan began in 2021.
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