Stadler expands battery-electric train deployment in Austria and Germany

Stadler and Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) are advancing railway modernization through the deployment of new rolling stock designed to replace diesel engines and increase capacity. At the InnoTrans trade fair, the partnership highlighted the KISS double-decker train for long-distance travel and the FLIRT Akku, a battery-powered vehicle intended for non-electrified regional routes.

In Germany, the ZÖPNV Süd association is beginning the phased introduction of Stadler FLIRT Akku trains within the Pfalz network. Following initial registration delays, passenger trial operations are scheduled to begin on September 21, 2026. These battery-electric units will gradually replace older diesel trains on several routes, including sections between Landau and Neustadt, as well as Pirmasens and Saarbrücken.

The transition in Germany depends on the construction of charging infrastructure, specifically overhead line island systems. The new FLIRT Akku models offer increased passenger comfort, including more space, quieter operation, WLAN, and real-time information systems.