Croatian passenger rail operator HŽ Putnički prijevoz (HŽPP) has signed a contract for the delivery of six Končar BEMUs, together with the construction of the country’s first hybrid charging station, which will be located at Kotoriba railway station.
The contract, worth EUR 53.6 million, was signed on 16 July between Končar – Electric Vehicles and HŽPP, following a tender launched in May 2026.
At the same time, a financing agreement was signed, fully supported by the European Union’s Modernisation Fund, which will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainable rail transport.
The financing agreement was signed in the presence of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković by Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković, Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition Marija Vučković, Director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund Luka Balen, and HŽPP Chief Executive Officer Željko Ukić.
The procurement of the Končar battery-electric multiple units “is an excellent example of how resources from the Modernisation Fund are being used. Revenues generated through the emissions trading system are invested in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and strengthen the competitiveness of the Croatian economy. The EUR 53.6 million investment in six battery-electric trains and a charging station at Kotoriba clearly demonstrates this approach,” Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said.
The new BEMUs eliminate the need to change traction
The new battery-electric multiple units will enter service in 2028 and early 2029, primarily serving northern Croatia. As part of the project, Croatia’s first hybrid charging station will also be built at Kotoriba station, equipped with a photovoltaic power plant and an energy storage system.
On non-electrified lines, the trains will operate using battery power and reach speeds of up to 120 km/h, while on electrified routes they will draw power from the overhead catenary system and operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h. The batteries will be recharged both from the overhead line and at dedicated charging stations.
Each train will provide 150 seats, allow multiple units to be coupled together to increase capacity, and be fully accessible for passengers with reduced mobility. The fleet will also feature free Wi-Fi, power sockets for charging electronic devices and modern passenger information systems.
“Croatia already has 70 new low-floor trains in service. With this contract, another 25 new trains have now been ordered. At the same time, we are investing more than EUR 1.5 billion in the reconstruction and development of railway infrastructure. Battery trains and battery-electric multiple units already in operation have proved highly successful, and the fact that they are manufactured in Croatia also strengthens the domestic industry,” Transport Minister Oleg Butković said.
The project is fully financed by the Modernisation Fund and represents one of Croatia’s most significant investments in the decarbonisation of transport.
“This project is one of the best examples of investing simultaneously in environmental protection and transport decarbonisation. We will not stop here. The forthcoming Social Climate Plan also includes funding for 30 additional new trains and three more charging stations,” said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition.
The ability of the battery-electric multiple units to operate on both electrified and non-electrified lines “will allow passengers to travel without changing trains while benefiting from a higher level of comfort and service quality. This project represents another important step towards a modern, reliable, accessible and environmentally friendly railway,” HŽPP Chief Executive Officer Željko Ukić said during the contract signing ceremony.
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