Newest battery-powered train FLIRT introduces environmentally friendly future for ODEG

Newest battery-powered train FLIRT introduces environmentally friendly future for ODEG

A new era in rail transport is just around the corner! The Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn GmbH (ODEG) and the manufacturer Stadler have taken a promising step towards emission-free mobility with their FLIRT battery-powered train. The train was presented a few days ago on a special trip from Schwerin to Parchim and gives hope for the new ODEG fleet, which will be on the road in West Mecklenburg from December 2027. This impressive electric motor train, which was made available on loan from the Schleswig-Holstein Local Transport Association (NAH.SH), could permanently change the way we travel by train. Locomotive Report reports that the ODEG was awarded the contract for the “Westmecklenburg II” transport contract in December 2024 and has ordered 14 battery-electric multiple units of the FLIRT Akku type within this framework.

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

Technological advances and environmental awareness

What is behind this emerging technology? The development of the FLIRT battery-powered train began at Stadler Pankow in 2017, and similar models have been available in Schleswig-Holstein since 2019 and 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 when running on batteries, making them ideal for the German rail network, where many routes are not electrified. Energy research highlights that over a third of the routes in Germany could previously only be used by diesel locomotives.

The promotion of such innovative projects is a central part of the strategy of the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), whose aim is to reduce emissions from diesel transport in the rail sector. As part of the “Directive for the Promotion of Alternative Drives in Rail Transport”, funds from the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP) and the European Recovery and Resilience Facilities (ARF) will flow into the development of emission-free trains. BMV emphasizes that companies are supported in implementing environmentally friendly drive technologies.

A look into the future

The symbolic start with the special trip of the FLIRT battery-powered train heralds a new era in rail transport. The ODEG fleet will not only improve connections in West Mecklenburg, but also make an important contribution to climate protection by taking advantage of the advantages of electromobility. The installation of recharging options could also enable fully electric operating models in the future.

However, infrastructure development remains a challenge, particularly on routes that cannot be economically electrified. The technological transition is in full swing and could further increase the relevance of rail transport as an environmentally friendly mobility alternative. With these new trains, ODEG is taking a significant step towards the climate-neutral future of rail travel.