Landesanstalt Schienenfahrzeuge Baden-Württemberg (SFBW) has ordered 20 Mireo Plus B electric trains from Siemens Mobility.

The two-carriage trains, which have 120 seats and can operate on rail routes with or without overhead power lines thanks to their battery hybrid drive, are scheduled to operate on Network 8 of the Ortenau regional system.

The contract includes maintenance of the trains by Siemens Mobility for just under 30 years. Delivery of the trains, which will be built at the German Siemens Mobility factory in Krefeld, should be completed by December 2023.

The KfW IPEX Bank is financing the trains for 77 million euros over a 28-year term.

Sabrina Soussan, CEO of Siemens Mobility, said: “With this order, the state of Baden-Württemberg is investing in the future of mobility.

“Our battery-powered Mireo Plus B train makes locally emission-free passenger transport possible, thus offering a sustainable alternative to the use of diesel-powered trains on non-electrified rail routes.

“We will guarantee the availability of the fleet with our maintenance of the trains over their entire lifecycle.”

The Mireo Plus B has a range of around 80km in battery operation.

The batteries can be charged via the overhead line while the train is on electrified sections and by harnessing the train’s braking energy.

The battery system is mounted under the floor in two containers. Lithium-ion batteries with a long service life
are used in the system.