The Slovenian passenger rail transport company ZSSK has signed a EUR 332 million contract for the delivery of 36 Škoda battery trains manufactured by the ŽOS Trnava consortium, the largest railcar repair company in Central Europe.
ZSSK plans to purchase 16 battery-powered trains next year, followed by an option for an order for another 20 vehicles, according to the contract. Part of the train production process will be carried out in Slovakia by consortium partner ŽOS Trnava.
The new zero-emission trains will modernize regional rail transport in Slovakia, replace some of the diesel trains on non-electrified lines, and offer passengers a comfortable journey without having to change trains between electrified and non-electrified sections. The introduction of these trains will reduce annual CO₂ emissions by up to hundreds of millions of kilograms compared to current operations.
“Battery trains are a real path to zero-emission regional transport in Slovakia. They combine the advantages of classic electric trains with operation on non-electrified lines without the need for large investments in infrastructure,” said Tomáš Ignačák, Executive Vice President of the Škoda Group.
“The ZSSK rolling stock fleet will benefit from these Škoda battery trains, which will contribute to better working conditions for the operator, and also “These will be the first zero-emission trains in Slovakia,” said Ivana Piňosová, CEO of ZSSK, noting that “the 16 trains ordered will replace worn-out diesel trains, as they can operate on both electrified and non-electrified lines. The project is in line with the vision of a modern and sustainable railway, which brings increased comfort to passengers and better technical and working conditions for our employees,” adds Ivana Piňosová, CEO of ZSSK.
The importance of the project is also underlined by European funding, which allows for the acceleration of rail transport modernization and, at the same time, the efficient use of available European resources. “The financing of battery-powered electric units from European funds is an important milestone on the road to modern and environmentally friendly rail transport in Slovakia. It is a project that combines innovative technologies with sustainable mobility, making efficient use of European resources. I believe that the new battery-powered units will bring more comfort to passengers, reduce emissions, and contribute to the development of public transport in regions where there is no electrified infrastructure,” said Denisa Žiláková, State Secretary at the Slovak Ministry of Transport.
ZSSK plans to introduce the new battery-powered trains on the following routes:
- Kúty – Skalica na Slovensku;
- Nové Zámky – Nitra;
- Nitra – Trnava – Bratislava;
- Myjava – Trenčín.
The new trains are based on the Panter electric train platform, to which a traction battery system has been added. The trains will run at up to 160 km/h powered by the contact line and up to 120 km/h running exclusively on batteries. The traction batteries will provide a range of at least 80 kilometers on non-electrified sections, covering most of the regional services currently operated by diesel trains. The batteries will be recharged both during operation, from the contact line, and at charging points. On non-electrified sections, energy from braking will be recovered in the batteries.
The trains will be configured as integrated two-car units, offering 157 seats and equipped with ETCS Level 2. The interior will include air conditioning in the passenger compartment and driver’s cab, on-board Wi-Fi, 230 V sockets with USB ports for charging electronic devices, low floors for easy access for people with reduced mobility, parents with strollers, or cyclists, as well as modern information systems. Thanks to their quiet and smooth operation, the trains will be considerably more environmentally friendly and less disruptive to residents living near the railway lines.
Share on:
