First battery trains for North Rhine-Westphalia to enter service in 2026

Beginning in the summer of 2026, three Mireo Plus B battery trains will bring emission-free mobility of the future for the operator Regiobahn on its RE 47 route over a period of 5.5 years. On this route, the trains will pass over Germany’s highest railway bridge. The battery trains will be made available to Regiobahn by Smart Train Lease in record time and will replace outdated diesel trains. This switch will save over 2,500 tons of CO2 per year, making a significant contribution to combating climate change.

Sascha M. Zuk, CEO of Regiobahn Fahrbetriebsgesellschaft: “The new trains will enable us to again offer our customers a continuous train connection between Remscheid and Düsseldorf beginning in the summer of 2026 – this time with state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly trains. By deploying the first battery-powered trains in North Rhine-Westphalia, Regiobahn will be building on its previous successes and again presenting itself as a reliable and innovative company.”

The new trains
The two-car battery-powered trains have a range of up to 120 kilometers and can reach a top speed of 140 km/h in both overhead line and battery operation. They offer a total of 122 seats, spacious multi-purpose areas, modern passenger information systems, and a separate first-class section with eight seats. Passenger comfort and convenience is enhanced by WLAN service, barrier-free boarding, and very quiet operation. A well-thought-out design with a wide connection between the cars ensures a high subjective feeling of safety for passengers. Numerous sockets and USB charging ports enable passengers to keep their devices fully charged during the journey. The trains feature a special high-frequency window glass solution developed by Siemens Mobility that significantly improves mobile phone reception in trains. The trains will be serviced by Siemens in Dortmund.

Accessibility
The Mireo Plus B trains will have a 76 cm entry height to ensure easy platform accessibility along the route. The trains will also be equipped with a barrier-free toilet.

Energy savings
The Mireo Plus B makes optimal use of the existing infrastructure and enables its batteries to be charged while running and when stationary. No additional charging infrastructure needs to be installed for the Düssel-Wupper Express. Thanks to its silicon carbide (SiC) technology, the train’s energy consumption is extremely low, ensuring high energy efficiency and reduced operating costs.

The trains will operate on the RE 47 route beginning in the summer of 2026.