Petra Berg, Minister of the Environment, Climate, Mobility, and Consumer Protection for Saarland, together with Stadler Rail Germany and the operator DB Regio, presented the new Stadler Flirt Akku battery-powered trains at Saarbrücken Central Station. These trains are intended for the state’s regional rail network.
The new trains are part of a comprehensive regional transport modernization program aimed at increasing passenger comfort and reducing carbon emissions by introducing BMUs capable of operating on partially electrified or non-electrified lines.
Emissions-Free Regional Mobility
According to the authorities and operators involved, the project represents an important step toward more modern, attractive, and sustainable public transportation in Saarland. Regional Minister Petra Berg emphasized that the new trains offer greater comfort, modern passenger information, and a real alternative to private car travel.
Currently, five trains are already available for testing, and approximately 300 train drivers are being trained to operate the new fleet. At the same time, network tests are underway to prepare for passenger service.
According to Stadler, the new units benefit from experience gained in previous projects in Germany, which has allowed for improvements to the battery systems and driver assistance.
After obtaining approval and completing testing, the first passenger runs will begin on a trial basis on the routes Saarbrücken – Zweibrücken – Pirmasens (RB 68) and Neustadt – Landau – Karlsruhe (RE 6/RB 51), with regular service on these lines scheduled to begin, according to the current plan, in October 2026.
Subsequently, starting in November 2026, trial operations will also begin on the Dillingen – Niedaltdorf (RB 77) line and the Kaiserslautern – Pirmasens (RB 64) route, and as of December 2026, all services in the Niedtal area will be fully operated with the new battery-powered trains in commercial service.
The other lines will be converted gradually, each following a preliminary trial period. By mid-2027, the Kaiserslautern–Pirmasens (RB 64) route, as well as the Kaiserslautern–Lauterecken-Grumbach (RB 66) and Kusel (RB 67) routes, will be included. The modernization of the Landau–Pirmasens (RB 55) and Winden–Bad Bergzabern (RB 54) lines is planned for 2029.
In total, once all conversion phases are complete, DB Regio will operate 44 two-car battery-powered trains on this network, making the entire fleet used in Saarland (including BMUs on the SÜWEX and E-Netz Saar RB networks) fully electric. The only exception will be the lines operated jointly with SNCF to France, where diesel-electric trains will continue to be used.
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