The latest battery train flirt presents environmentally friendly future for ODEG

The latest battery train flirt presents environmentally friendly future for ODEG

A new era in rail transport is just around the corner! Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn GmbH (ODEG) and the manufacturer Stadler have taken a promising step towards emission-free mobility with their flirt battery train. On a special trip from Schwerin to Parchim, the train was presented a few days ago and gives hope for the new ODEG fleet, which will be traveling in Westmecklenburg from December 2027. This impressive electric motor train, which was made available for loan by the local transport network Schleswig-Holstein (Nah.SH), could change the way we train train travels sustainably. Lok Report reports that in December 2024 the contract was awarded for the "Westmecklenburg II" transport contract 14 Battery electrical rugs of the Flirt battery ordered.

The electrically operated trains have a lot to offer: they run completely emission -free on non -electrified routes and can not only drive under overhead lines, but also purely battery operations. The planned lines include the RB13 from Rehna to Parchim and several seasonal connections, which among other things serve the picturesque Müritz region. The interior of the trains is also impressively designed - with 98 seats, generous multi -purpose areas and a barrier -free design. WLAN and modern passenger information systems are also on board.

technological progress and environmental awareness

What is behind this aspiring technology? The development of the flirt battery train began in 2017 at Stadler Pankow, and since 2019 there have been similar models in Schleswig-Holstein that have been used in northern Germany since autumn 2022. The trains reach a top speed of 160 km/h and offer a range of up to 150 km in battery operation, which makes it ideal for the German rail network on which many routes are not electrified. Energy research emphasizes that over a third of the routes in Germany have only been used with diesel locomotives so far over a third of the routes in Germany could.

The promotion of such innovative projects is a central part of the strategy of the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), the aim of which is to reduce the emissions of diesel transport in the rail area. As part of the "Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drives in Rail Transport", funds from the German development and resilience plan (DARP) and the European structure and resilience facilities (ARF) flow into the development of emission-free trains. BMV emphasizes that companies are supported in the implementation of environmentally friendly drive technology.

A look into the future

The symbolic start with the special trip of the Flirt Cordless train heralds a new era of rail transport. The ODEG fleet will not only improve the connections in Westmecklenburg, but also make an important contribution to climate protection by using the advantages of electromobility. The installation of post -charging options could also enable fully electric operating models in the future.

Nevertheless, the development of the infrastructure remains a challenge, especially on routes that cannot be electrified economically. The technology transition is in full swing and could further increase the relevance of rail traffic as an environmentally friendly mobility alternative. With these new trains, ODEG takes a significant step into the climate -neutral future of rail travel.